Lelia Lavenia Athey Mauck, 93, of Bentonville, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on July 1, 2024.
She was born on February 9, 1931, in Arco, Virginia to the late Connie Marion Athey, Sr., and Viola Pearl (Fox) Athey.
She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Alton Parker Mauck, Jr., her brothers, Connie Marion Athey, Jr. (Virginia), Clifford Lynwood Athey (Phyllis), William Athey, and her sister, Brenda Lee Athey Smith.
After graduating from Warren County High School in Front Royal, Virginia in 1951, she received a two-year degree in children’s ministry from Southeastern Bible Institute (now Southeastern University) in Lakeland, Florida in 1954.
After graduation, she returned to Front Royal and married her husband in May, 1956. A member of First Assembly of God in Front Royal for more than 70 years, she lovingly served for decades in various capacities as a children’s Sunday School teacher, children’s church director, and leader of the girls’ Missionettes program. She was also a secretary for Wines Construction for 20 years.
Lelia dedicated her life to her family, raising her boys with boundless love and selflessness. Her nurturing spirit and gentle guidance shaped the lives of her family, leaving a legacy of love and warmth.
She enjoyed cooking big family meals, sewing costumes for church productions, and creating photo albums for each family member as family history was a passion of hers.
She is survived by two sons, Dwayne A. Mauck (Lisa) of Front Royal and Dale E. Mauck (Jill) of Fort Worth, Texas; three grandchildren, Derrick A. Mauck (Cassie); Lauren Leeper (Michael), and Nicole Mauck; and three great grandchildren, Mackenzie Mauck, Mackayla Mauck, and Michael Leeper III.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, William C. Smith, her sister-in-law, Gayliss L. Flynt, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, and cousins.
She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for her unwavering love and devotion to family and friends. Her love and legacy will continue to inspire all those who were blessed to know her.
The family would also like to express heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful caregivers at Shenandoah Senior Living and Blue Ridge Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated for the children’s ministry at The Church at Skyline, P.O. Box 1582, Front Royal, VA, 22630, or at www.thechurchatskyline.com.
Family night visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 12th at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal. The Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 13th at 11:00 a.m. at The Church at Skyline, 7655 Stonewall Jackson Highway, Front Royal, with Rev. William C. Smith and Rev. Butch Hammond officiating. The burial will be at the Bentonville Baptist Church, 2537 Stonewall Jackson Highway, Bentonville. Pallbearers will be Dwayne Mauck, Dale Mauck, Derrick Mauck, Michael Leeper, Jr., Mark Athey, and Gary Kenney.
She was a dear, sweet example of a godly woman!! She graduated with my husband’s sister (Louise Wheaton McClellan) Louis spent her last year of high school living in Front Royal with the Athey’s – after the Wheaton’s moved to Annandale, VA – Ernest Wheaton drove back & worth to DC. to work for many years, until they moved. Lelia Athey Mauck always treated us like family. We came up from Springfield, VA to visit my parents Kenneth & Nellie Smith. They always spoke highly of the Athey’s & Mauck’s!! So looking forward to that GREAT REUNION DAY in Heaven!