Sarah Margaret Williams Mathews, born January 17, 1922, died April 3, 2009, at the age of 87 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Mrs. Mathews was the daughter of J. L. (Lee) and Jimmie Jordan Williams of Bearden, Arkansas. Mrs. Mathews was preceded in death by her husband and lifelong love, Dr. James Travis Mathews, her only son Leander Travis Mathews, and her parents. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Sally Mathews, grandchildren Travis and Sara Lee Mathews, and three great-grandchildren, Dylan, age 5, Logan, age 2, and Lola Marie, age 1, all of Fayetteville. Mrs. Mathews spent her youth in Sheridan, Arkansas, graduated from Sheridan High School, and attended the University of Central Arkansas (formerly Teachers College) in Conway, Arkansas, and wed Dr. Mathews in November, 1941. She taught Kindergarten in Little Rock while her husband completed his studies at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, at which time the couple relocated to Hazen, Arkansas, where Dr. Mathews was in private medical practice until his death in 19XX. Mrs. Mathews lived many happy years in Hazen where she enjoyed a blessed life surrounded by friends and family and was an active and respected member of the community. She was a member of the Hazen Methodist Church and the Elsie McCain Club. Declining health necessitated her retirement to Fayetteville in later years where she lived the remainder of her life with her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on the shores of White River. It was her greatest pleasure to be in the company of her family where she delighted in seeing her great-grandchildren every day. Mrs. Mathews loved the outdoors, home decorating, travel, playing cards with friends, and was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks, supporting both football and basketball teams to the last day of her life. She epitomized unconditional love, a robust enjoyment of life and nature, faith in god, and the Christian precepts of compassion and nonjudgment. Mrs. Mathews, who was known by all as a true Southern lady, unfailingly polite, and always honoring the lives of others, will be missed by many who were fortunate to know her. In lieu of floral or other tributes, the family requests that Mrs. Mathews be honored by personal acts of love and kindness such as calls, visits, or flowers to those individuals who have meant the most in our lives.
Graveside service will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, Arpil 8, 2009, with visitation from 1:00 PM until service time at the funeral home.
Obituary submitted by Katherine Webb.