Hettie “Jeanette” Mattox Dewberry went home to be with her Lord on September 18, 2023, in Decatur, AL, at the age of 100 years and 11 months. Her funeral service will be on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Neal Funeral Home in Lawrenceburg, TN, with Bro. Scotty Letson and Bro. Brandon Kerby officiating. The visitation will be Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Neal Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceburg, TN.
Mrs. Dewberry was born in Lawrence County, Tennessee on October 10, 1922, to George M. Mattox and Emma Jane Parker Mattox, the third of six children growing up in the Ethridge Community on Mattoxtown Road. After completing the 8th grade, she began caring for her younger siblings while her parents worked on the family farm. She would share her experience of growing up during the Great Depression and learned the value of hard work. She was an active participant in Sacred Harp singings all throughout the South, often leading singers to sing some of her favorite hymns. Her most recent opportunities to lead and participate in Sacred Harp Singing were at Belmont College in 2006, and Burrett on the Mountain in 2018.
She married Evins Harlin Dewberry in Florence, AL on November 24, 1944. While her husband served in the US Navy during World War II, she worked at a local shirt factory saving both of their incomes until he returned home. Together they worked tirelessly in the cotton industry until his death in 1997. In January of 1961 they moved to Lawrence County, Alabama. She was an exceptional homemaker, a full-time farmer’s wife beginning her day at 4:30 AM each morning preparing meals for the day, laundry and often would pick at least 300 pounds of cotton by hand before mechanical machinery was available. She was a talented pianist, musician, seamstress, and cook. She enjoyed sharing her special homemade treats with friends, family and business friends. She loved gardening, flowers, and spending time with friends in their homes, visiting them in hospitals and nursing homes. She especially loved spending time with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and often traveled to several states to be a part of their lives. She was an active member of Courtland Baptist Church where she was a member of the adult choir, youth choir leader and various ministries of the church. She touched many lives by encouraging them during her years as a resident of the Courtland Community.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents and son, Jerry Ronald Dewberry; brothers, Vernie Alvin (Eunice) Mattox, Gernia Cecil (Ethel) Mattox, and Palmer “Red” Mattox; sisters, Norma Jane “Janie” Mattox (James “Scooter”) Tice and Lois Jewell Mattox Clifton (Fred) Fennison; several nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Mrs. Dewberry is survived by one daughter, Carolyn Dewberry (Alton) Brewer of Decatur, AL; grandchildren, Rhonda Dewberry and children Joshua & Sarah; Paul (Joanie) Dewberry and children Evins, Emma & Erin; Jon (Teresa) Hovater and children, Alyssa and fiancé Dylan Marsh & Harlin, and David Hovater and children, Whitt & Fields; daughter-in-law, Catherine Dewberry; one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Hunt Mattox; and several nieces and nephews, who were often the recipient of the famous “Aunt Net” hug, as well as several extended family members and friends.
Memorial gifts may be made to Courtland Baptist Church or a charity of choice.
