Jo Ann Maddy Butterworth

Jo Ann Maddy Butterworth, of Hopewell, Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025, after a difficult three week decline in health. At age 96, Jo Ann still lived at home where she was assisted by family and caregivers. She is survived by her sons, Bradley Powell Butterworth (Jackie) and Todd Maddy Butterworth (Jan). She leaves behind grandchildren, Samuel Louis Butterworth, Jake Walker Butterworth (Kendall), and Luke Maddy Butterworth. She was predeceased by her husband, Louis Powell Butterworth (1990); and her son, Jay Louis Butterworth (1981).

Jo Ann was born on December 21, 1928, in Hinton, West Virginia, to the late Claude Randolph Maddy and Mary Roosevelt Maddy. She, along with sisters, Jean and Ruth, lived only a short walk from their father's store, Maddy Brothers. Located in the mountains of southern West Virginia, Jo Ann learned to swim in the New River as a child. After graduating from Hinton High School, Jo Ann attended Concord College where she earned a teaching degree and enjoyed intramural swimming. Upon graduating, she moved to Hopewell where she met her future husband, Louis. Jo Ann served the children of Hopewell as an elementary school teacher for 32 years. She celebrated retirement twice after realizing the first time she wasn't ready to leave the classroom, the students, and the profession she loved. She was an active member of the Junior Woman's Club of Hopewell. As a committee member, Jo Ann was a vital part of the initial success of the James River Ball Patrons Committee established in 1964, which then and now supports cultural arts programming for the students in Hopewell schools.

Jo Ann continued to swim and could be found at the Hopewell Community Center long after her retirement from teaching. If not there, she was working as a docent at Weston Manor or at the library getting the newest titles as she loved to read. She frequented local tennis courts in the area playing tennis with her husband, sons, and numerous friends. An avid enthusiast of games, Jo Ann enjoyed hosting and attending parties and was a competitive player of both bridge and Mahjong.

Jo Ann's resilience, her love for family, her fondness for pets, and her appreciation of westerns continued until the final days of her life. Her spirit continues to live in her family members.

A graveside service will be held at Appomattox Cemetery at a later date. Jo Ann and family are being served by the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 636, Hopewell, VA 23860.