Norma Jean Matthaei's Obituary
Norma “Jean” Matthaei, 83, of Keyser, WV, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, April 14, 2024, surrounded by family.
She was born to the Rev. Floyd Hicks and Emma (Hensley) Hicks. She was the youngest child of seven, including four boys and three girls. As a child, Jean and her family spent a great deal of time attending church at Church of God in Elk Garden and Keyser, West Virginia.
She was born on May 18, 1940, in Emoryville, West Virginia. She grew up mostly in Sulphur City and Elk Garden, West Virginia. She attended grade school in Elk Garden and later moved to Keyser, WV and attended Keyser High School.
Jean held many customer service jobs including working as a telephone operator for Yellow Cab and Blue Bird Cab Company in Hyattsville, MD, Silver Spring Taxi Company in Silver Spring, MD, the Madison Hotel in D.C., and for Prince George’s Hospital in Cheverly, MD. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing and would often make various gifts for friends and family. She was also a member and chaplain at the College Park Moose Lodge in College Park, MD where she enjoyed hanging out with friends. Jean valued family very much and always made an effort to keep in touch with family members near and far.
Jean married Glenn Herrell on February 9, 1957. Together they had three children, Glenn “Billy” William Herrell, Jr., Pamela Hooper, and Christa Herrell. Following their divorce, while working at the Madison Hotel in D.C., she later met Fred Matthaei. They married on December 6, 1974. Together they had two children, Fred Matthaei, and Jeffrey Matthaei. She and Fred, along with all the children, lived in Chillum, MD and Hyattsville, MD. Later they divorced in 1990. Following the divorce, she moved back to Keyser, WV in the mid-90’s where she remained until her death. Jean also had two stepchildren, Lisa Matthaei and Georgia Herrell.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Christa, and son, Fred Jr.; as well as four brothers, one sister, and two grandchildren, Robby and Jill. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: one sister, Carolyn Beeman, her three children, Glenn “Billy” Herrell (Joni), Pamela Hooper, and Jeffery Matthaei (Jessica); grandchildren Shannon, Amber, Stephanie, Brandy, Daniel, Lily, Fisher, Jeffery Jr., and great-grandchildren, Khloe, Bob Bob, Hunter, and Timothy Jr. “TJ”, as well as several nieces and nephews, cherished relatives, and friends.
Visitation with family will be held on Saturday April 27, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. at Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel at 85 S. Main Street, Keyser, WV. Services will immediately follow the visitation at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to On Fire Ministries at P.O. Box 1287, Cumberland, MD 21501.
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