Martha Lee Nichols Mathews, 89, of Athens passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday, November 23, 2015. Visitation will be Sunday, November 29th, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 pm. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home, with the funeral service to follow at 2:30 p.m. with Dr. Douglas Walker officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.
Martha Mathews was born on September 10, 1926 in Stevenson, AL to William Terry Nichols and Elizabeth Knox Nichols. She grew up in Florence and graduated from Auburn University with a B. S. in Home Economics.
Mrs. Mathews moved to Athens in 1963 with her husband and five children. She quickly became active in the First United Methodist Church where she was in the choir, women’s ministries, Bible studies, and such singing ministries as the Merry Notes. She was active in the Gideon’s auxillary and many other civic organizations and served as president of the University Women, regent of Daughters of the American Colonists, and regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution who recently honored her for 60 years of service. Her most significant ministry, however, was to her family, whom she loved and devoted her life to, and who loved her dearly.
Mrs. Mathews was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 35 years, George David Mathews, Sr., and beloved daughters Carol Mathews Fish and Marilyn Mathews Wells. She is survived by sisters Betty Jo Ryberg of San Diego, CA and Billie Knox Fetters of Ellsville, MO; daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Mathews Walker of Athens, son George David Mathews, Jr. of Little Rock, AR; son William Glenn “Bill” Mathews of Athens, 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Douglas Walker, Jr., William Mathews, Jr., John David Mathews, James Fish, David Wells, Jonathan Wells, Shane Mathews and Caleb Mathews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 265 Athens, AL 35612, First United Methodist Church of Athens, 208 West Hobbs Street Athens, AL 35611 or Legacy Christian University, 6806 Whitesburg Dr., SE Huntsville, AL 35802.
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