Martha Jane Matthews

Martha J Meadows Matthews

Martha was born in Bleckley Co. GA. Her parents, John and Josie Meadows moved to Hawkinsville, GA when she was in the third grade. She lived there until she graduated with Honors from Hawkinsville High School.

Martha started volunteering during World War II. After school she made bandages for the American Red Cross. This was done by placing gauze on a pattern board and shaping with a corset spays to smooth out the gauze to make 4x4s. She also knitted navy wool squares to make afghans for the US Navy. Her volunteering didn't stop then. When she retired from nursing, she volunteered for Helping in His Name food pantry, Samaritans Together and was a member of the Piedmont Henry Auxiliary for more than 20 years.

Martha attended GA State, the Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing, and DeKalb College. She was very proud of her profession as a Registered Nurse and loved Piedmont Hospital. She was always told, "If you graduated from Piedmont School of Nursing, you won't need a reference check." She was happy to have been one to help plan and open the North wing at Piedmont Hospital in the 70s where she managed seven medical and surgical nursing units. Prior to this she had been Director of Nursing at Elks Aidmore Hospital and other management positions during her 50 plus years of nursing.

Martha married Lou Matthews, the love of her life, a GA Tech engineer in 1952 and they were married for 64+ years. He went to Heaven in January 2017.

She is also survived by children, Terri M Stephens, Lawrenceville, GA. Mark S Matthews (Jane) of Alpharetta, GA and grandchildren, Michael Stephens, Danielle M. Matthews, Julianne M. Matthews, 2 nieces, and cousins. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Avondale Estates, GA since 1955. She taught Sunday School in Primary and Junior Departments.

A funeral service will be held on February 13, 2024, at 11:00AM at the Gospel Hope Church (formerly known as Avondale Estates First Baptist Church). There will be a visitation at AS Turner Funeral Home and Crematory from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday February 12, 2024.

The interment will take place at East Lawn Cemetery following the funeral service.