Agnes Matheis Obituary

Agnes Felts Matheis, LCDR USN (RET), passed away peacefully in her sleep in Warsaw, Virginia, on October 3rd. She was born Agnes Wesley Felts on January 26, 1926, in her family home near Capron, Southampton County, VA, to Robert Lee and Laura Gillette Felts. She graduated from Courtland High School and attended college for Nursing before entering the US Navy in 1945 as a Commissioned Nursing Officer. She served as a Nurse and Supervisor primarily in the Pacific Theater through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, with assignments in Pearl Harbor, occupied Japan, Guam, and San Diego. She completed her career at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in 1970, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Agnes married Harold Joseph Matheis of Rochester, NY, in 1957. They spent their post-Naval career lives together in Portsmouth, VA. Agnes was a hard worker and a fighter until the end of her life. She enjoyed travelling, and circumnavigated the globe at least once in her lifetime. She also cherished family and opportunities to gather with loved ones. Agnes was preceded in death by her husband Harold; her two sisters, Edna F. Jones of Smithfield, VA, and Virginia F. Brown of Mt Holly, VA; two nephews, Kippe G. Jones of Smithfield, VA, and James D. Brown III of Mt Holly, VA. She is survived by two nephews, Larry E. Jones of Chicago, IL, and Cary R. Brown of Tampa, FL, and countless cousins. Agnes will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, VA, on October 10th. Welch Funeral Home in Warsaw, VA, is handling pre-funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation or the Southampton County, VA, Historical Society, with appreciation.