Oma Mae Malatesta, 80, of 1211 Cherokee Trail, Covington, Virginia, passed away Thursday, January 06, 2011 at the Springs Nursing Center in Hot Springs, Virginia.

She was born February 18, 1931 in Buchanan County, Virginia, the daughter of the late George Lawson and Cellia Catherine Byrd Lawson. She was married to the late John B. Malatesta  who preceded her in death in December 1991.

Mrs. Malatesta was a former nurse. She was a loving mother, grandmother and housewife. She was of the Catholic faith. She loved the Chesapeake Bay and spending time on the shore.

She is survived by a son Jeffrey V. Malatesta of Millsboro, Delaware; three grandchildren, Justin John Malatesta, Luke Jeffery Malatesta and Sabrina Malatesta; a  great grandchild, Jayna Nicole Malatesta; and three sisters, Madelyn Pollock of Clifton Forge, Virginia, Opal Marrow of Wolford, Virginia and Dolly Gibson of     Warm Springs, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Gail Malatesta; and two brothers, Lester Floyd Lawson and Homer Lawson.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Wayne Lawson officiating. Interment will be in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Covington.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home.