Mary Anne Mathis

Mary Anne Mathis was born Mary Anne Knight, January 1, 1931. She was the first born child of Marvin Edward Knight and Alice Louise Williams. Her parents were country folk that grew up on farms. Marvin was from central Texas and Louise was from the middle of west TN. When they married and finally got their first home of an area lot in Memphis, TN, they turned that city lot into a country home. Mary Anne grew up with farm animals, vegetable gardens, flowers and church. Her 8 aunts and uncles in TN, and her 5 aunts and uncles in Texas, were all Southern Baptist. She was taught in early life that to give of yourself to others was important. Her brothers were younger than her, Warren by 3 years and Vandon by 13 years. Louise was ill following the birth of Vandon. For his first year, Mary Anne mothered Vandon during this time. This began her life of altruism at a very early age. In her early years she worked contributing to the family income, and studying at the Central Ave Baptist camp in Ridgecrest, NC. She received her Nursing degree from UT Knoxville and finished at John Gaston Hospital. Even though times were hard in America during those years, Louise and Marvin always had love and laughter and religious education within those three rooms that Marvin built. What she was taught would stay with her throughout her life. Her first husband, Sam Beaty was stationed in Corpus Christie, TX where she worked as an ER nurse for a Catholic hospital. When they returned, they resided in Germantown, TN. She worked for a pediatrician, Dr J A James as his right hand surgical nurse at Methodist Hospital. During this period of her life, she babysat and doted on Warren and Sandra’s 3 boys Keith, Kent, and Kevin. In order for Sam to get his Master’s degree, she became the Chief Dietitian at Germantown High School. She selflessly worked there during the day and continued her nursing at night at Ave Maria Gild. Many years later in life, she became a resident there. The staff welcomed her with open arms as a resident and a mentor. They graciously allowed her to continue nursing by relying on her expressed insights as she saw them. In their words, “She truly loves everyone she meets and is a joy to be with”. The fourth nephew, Terry Don, was born to Joan and Vandon in 1967. Mary Anne married Ted Bonner in 1977. Once again, being a doting aunt, she insisted that Terry Don be in her wedding. Mary Anne and Ted regularly enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. A few years after Ted passed away, Mary Anne fell in love with one of her opponents from their weekly games, Dalton Mathis. They were married in May of 1984. Marrying Dalton was a package deal including 4 adult children and several grandchildren. She proudly and enthusiastically took on her role as step mother and Nana. Dalton would often say, “The only reason you married me was because of the kids” and her response was always the same “you got that right buddy!” He would always beam with pride because of her response. They enjoyed their teasing. “No” was not in her vocabulary and her zest for life was contagious. She lived life, in the moment, with no conditions, and gave all of herself to whatever was happening at that time.
Mary Anne Mathis, 91, finished her final rounds and was called home and embraced by Jesus himself on Saturday morning, December 10, 2022. Heaven opened and received her spirit as the angels sang. She was ushered in by her two younger brothers, Warren and Vandon Knight, and was met by her father and mother, Marvin and Louise Knight along with her husband of 23 years, Dalton Mathis.
Anne’s greatest legacy was her deep love for her family. She is mourned by one sister in law Joan (Vandon) Knight, and their son Terry Don (Lily) Knight, who now reside in Ocala FL. She leaves behind 4 children related in love. Keith (Wanda) Mathis of Pleasant Hope, MO; Shawnda Mathis of TN; Jill (William) Griffin of Hohenwald, TN; Tina (Jimmy) Sowell of Moscow, TN. Along with her children, she leaves behind 11 grandchildren whom she adored: Michael Tull, Micah Mathis, Leah Emmett, Sara Werremeyer, Rick Mathis, Dalton Mathis Barnett, Billy Griffin, Jeffrey Griffin, Lauren Sowell, Amber Wylie, and JB Sowell. Additionally, she was a great grandmother to 30 great grandchildren, and one on the way. Many extended family, cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors and friends will miss her contagious laughter, dramatic stories, graceful demeanor and compassionate heart.
The funeral is Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Shackleford Funeral Home in Middleton, TN. Visitation is 10:00-11:00 and service will begin at 11:00.