Mary Virginia Ryan Matthews (78) of Guntersville passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 31st, surrounded by her family.
Ginger, as she was affectionately known, was born and lived her entire life in Guntersville except for a brief stint in Marietta, Georgia. She was a beloved Mother and “Nana” to her three children and eight grandchildren. After a fulfilling career as an educator, the joy of Ginger’s retirement years was attending her grandchildren’s extracurricular events much of which was spent at a baseball or softball field. Whether extreme heat or extreme cold, nothing could keep her away. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, loved working in her flower beds and was an avid reader. Ginger was loved by all those that knew her, and she will be greatly missed.
Ginger was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Mary Ryan. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Lee Matthews Jr; daughter Kristie Quigley (Curt) of Guntersville; sons Matt Matthews (Lundee) of Milton, Georgia; Nathan Matthews (Trista) of Guntersville; and eight beautiful grandchildren, Ryan Quigley, Lauren Quigley, Keegan Matthews, Seth Matthews, Kinslee Matthews, Sawyer Matthews, Ty Conner and McKinley Conner. She is also survived by her brother, Don Ryan of Tuscaloosa, AL, and her sister Patricia Padgett of Guntersville.
Visitation will be Friday, February 3rd from 1:00-2:00 with the funeral immediately following at First Presbyterian Church of Guntersville with Reverends’ Mel Strain and Sharon Gearing officiating. Burial will be at Crestview Cemetery.
Special thanks to the loving staff of Marshall Manor Nursing Home and Shepherd’s Cove Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial gifts be directed to Shepherd’s Cove.
