Willo Faye Keene Mathews
Holman-Headland Mortuary & CremationsViewed: 1430
Posted by: Holman Mortuaries
holmanmortuaries.com
334-693-3371
Date: Sep 24 2020 12:44 PM
MIDLAND CITY… Heaven’s gates opened Wednesday, September 24, 2020, to receive Willo Faye Keene Mathews. She passed away in her Midland City home surrounded by family and friends where she had lived since 1965. Upon her arrival in heaven we are certain that she promptly located the best rocking chair in the baby nursery where she will be glad to remain for the rest of eternity. She was the last surviving member of the generation of grandchildren of George Washington and Sarah McKenzie Keen of Walton County, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband Orville D. Mathews, her parents, McKenzie McCaskill and Minnie Bell Tew Keene, her sister Sarah Lorene Keene Johnson, and daughter-in-law, Kim Marshall Mathews.
Faye, as she preferred to be called, was born in Baker, Florida on September 6, 1931 and the family later moved to Ponce de Leon, Florida. She was the youngest of two girls born to Mac and Minnie. She spent her teenage summers basking in the Florida sun at Ponce de Leon Springs, graduated from Ponce de Leon High School in 1950, and worked as a desk clerk at the New Walton Hotel on Lake DeFuniak. After her marriage to Airman Mathews in 1952, the US Air Force travel agency arranged extended stays in a number of US locations including San Antonio, TX, Mobile, AL, Panama City, FL, and Charleston, SC. They eventually settled in Midland City, AL, where Faye declared that she was staying till she died, a wish that the loving care of her children were able to facilitate during her recent decline in health.
In addition to her role as the CEO of the Mathews household, Faye worked as the receptionist and bookkeeper of Mathews Service Company and other family businesses. She was active at Midland City Baptist Church where she served tirelessly caring for the nursery babies. She also served as a church hostess.
Children Dr. Brenda (Dr. James E.) Carpenter of Tifton, GA, Dennis Mathews of Midland City, AL, Janet (Tim) Blackmon of Elba, AL, Teresa (Frank) Ward of Montgomery, AL, and Robert Mathews of Midland City, AL are left behind as a testament of both her love and endurance.
Grandma Faye was the best Grandma to her grandchildren: J. Matthew (Mary) Carpenter of Augusta, GA, Anna Carpenter (Jacob) Lavender of Vonore, TN, Jake Blackman of Elba, AL, Robert Joseph Mathews of Huntsville, AL, Abbie Danielle Mathews of Midland City, AL and Christopher Adam Ward of Montgomery, AL, and great-grandchildren, Rebekkah Marie Carpenter and Kaylynn Elaina Carpenter of Tifton, GA and Emilie Anine Lavender and Elijah James Lavender of Vonore, TN. She also is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
The family is deeply grateful for the love and friendship extended to Momma by her dear friend Glenda Hoffman and the Encompass Healthcare staff, especially Cheryl, Kim and Jasmine. Memorials to Camp Victory Building Fund, 363 Victory Cir, Samson, AL 36477 or Midland City Baptist Church, P.O. Box 694, Midland City, AL 36350 would honor her memory.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 26, 2020, in the Midland City Cemetery with Reverend Mark Brantley officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. Social distancing guidelines and masks will be observed.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
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