Obituary of Irvin Gibbs Mater

Loving Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, and Friend Message From The Family The family would like to thank Simpson Funeral Home, the staff and residents of The Glebe, Salem VA Medical Center, Amedisys Home Health Services, as well as Irvin's nieces and nephews for their support during this difficult time. On the evening of May 19, 2016, Irvin G. Mater, 86, peacefully returned to the Lord in the comfort of his home at The Glebe in Daleville, Virginia. His remaining days were filled with the endless love and care from his family and friends. He is preceded in death by parents, William Richard Mater and Zola Iola Mater as well as his oldest son, Richard Stephen Mater, whom he loved very much. Irvin was born on January 26, 1930, in Simpson, North Carolina and moved to Newport News, Virginia, in 1933 where he grew up and later graduated from Warwick High School in 1948. He served in the 710 AAA Battalion during the Korean War. On April 12, 1952, he married his beloved wife of 64 years, Lucille Elizabeth Mater, at the Langley Air Force Base Chapel, Virginia. After leaving Service, Irvin worked at the Newport News Shipyard and attended the Technical Institute of the College of William and Mary which later became Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon graduation in 1957, he accepted a position as a Manager, Product Engineering, where he worked until March of 1990, retiring after 34 years of devoted service. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Lucille Elizabeth Mater, his sister, Barbara Ann Clayton and husband Gene Clayton, and son, Commander David Allen Mater, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Navy (retired). Irvin will live on through the laughter and stories shared by his wife, sister, son, sister-in-law, Shirley Brandt Bailey, sister-in-law, Peggy Brandt Outten, brother-in-law, Randy Bailey, and his many nephews and nieces whom he shared a very special relationship: Debra Bailey Berezin and husband Eric "Rick" Berezin, Cheryl Bridges Elder and husband Steve Elder, Stuart Bridges, Christy Brandt Adams and husband Tom Adams, Rick Clayton and wife Holly Clayton, Bruce Clayton, Malinda Bailey Howe and husband Rick Howe, Valorie Bridges Moore and husband David Moore, as well as the children of his nephews and nieces, cousins, friends, and the residents and staff of The Glebe that had become his extended family. A memorial service celebrating the life of Irvin will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at The Glebe, 200 The Glebe Blvd., Daleville, VA 24083. Light refreshments will be provided afterwards by Irvin's nephew, Andrew Elder, a rising senior at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, The Roanoke Rescue Mission, or The Glebe Benevolent Fund. The family invites friends and family to share their memories with Irvin and submit special pictures that you would like added to this memorial.