VaLoy Mathews Hansberry

VaLoy Mathews was born on August 6, 1939, at Murray, Salt Lake, Utah. She was the second child and first daughter of Ross W. Mathews and Orma W. Mathews.

She spent her early life at the family ranch at Joseco, Nevada (the Clover Valley Post office, where her mother was the Post Mistress). On the ranch, VaLoy learned to help look after the milk cow’s calves, gather the eggs and feed the chickens.

When she reached the age to begin attending school, her family moved to their home in St. George, Utah during the school year. There she made many friends, but each year (when school was out) she spent the summers helping the family at the ranch.

VaLoy advanced through public school in St. George, and she graduated from Dixie High School in May of 1957. She later accepted a job acting as a clerk at the St. George Temple.

In the 1960’s VaLoy received a full-time mission call where she served in the State of Texas for 18 months. Upon returning from her mission, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she obtained employment at several businesses. She then met and later married Donald Lee Denison on 31 Dec 1965. Don was a Las Vegas Metro Police officer at the time.

VaLoy gave birth on June 5th,1970 in Las Vegas, Nevada to their only child whom they named Donna Lea Dennison. Following their later divorce, VaLoy continued to live in Las Vegas. Later she met and married her second husband, Robert J. Hansberry. During her marriage to Robert, they have lived in a number of locations throughout the U.S. They eventually settled back in St, George, Utah at her current home where they have lived until Robert’s death on 16 May 2011. VaLoy has continued to live in St. George up until the time of her passing.

VaLoy is now survived by her daughter Donna Lea Bates and her granddaughter, Riley Alexandra Bates. She is further survived by her two remaining brothers, David Ross Mathews (Sharon) and Paul Wilden Mathews (Dana). As well, she is also survived by many cousins, nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grandnieces. Also, she has been blessed with many great grandnephews and great grandnieces. VaLoy was proceeded in death by her parents Ross and Orma Mathews and her brothers Ramon and Omar (Kay Jean) Mathews.

A graveside service will be held Friday, October 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Tonaquint Cemetery located at 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to share memories on VaLoy’s digital memorial page at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com