Mrs. Beverley Broache McMath passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at her home in Onley, following an illness. She was 74. The daughter of E. Clyde Broache Jr. and Margaret P. Broache, she was born March 25, 1952, in Richmond.
A graduate of Parksley High School and the College of William and Mary, Bev received her Master of Arts in teaching from Old Dominion University. For 33 years she was an elementary school teacher and reading specialist for the Prince William County and Accomack County school systems. She had a special talent for reaching students and leading them to advancement.
A faithful and devoted member of Onley United Methodist Church, Bev was a trained lay leader within the U.M. Conference. She worked tirelessly organizing and heading numerous outreach ministry programs that touched many Eastern Shore residents. She was fervent about biblical literacy and taught adult and youth Sunday School classes for many years.
Whether traveling to the far corners of the world with her husband, enjoying bridge and book clubs, walking the beaches searching for shells with her friends and family, or, especially, encouraging her grandchildren to read good books, Bev set the example through giving her fullest and best in all she did.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Albert J. “Al” McMath III; two children, Timothy D. “Tim” McMath, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Erin M. Beck and her husband, Jesse, of Onley; three grandchildren, Reid M. Beck, Elizabeth “Libby” Beck, and Anne K. “Annie” Beck, of Onley; a brother, Douglas C. Broache and his wife, Virginia, of Billings, Mont.; a sister, Margie B. Byrd, of Accomac; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services, with the Rev. James D. Canody officiating, were held at Onley United Methodist Church on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Charlene Harris served as liturgist. Pallbearers were Ed Darby, Ronald Harmon, Garnett Kellam, Robert Marsh, Edward T. “Ned” McMath, and George Parker. A reception in the fellowship hall of the church followed the service. The family gathered for private interment at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.
Contributions in Bev’s memory may be made to the Onley United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Onley, VA 23418, www.onleyumc.org/donate
Memory tributes may be shared at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
