Mary Frances Mathis

Mary Frances (Lawson) Mathis 94
Passed away March 1, 2011.

A South Georgia native, Mary Frances was born in Brooks County and lived most of her life in Morven and Valdosta Georgia, residing the last 14 years in Cumming, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Julian Lloyd Mathis, her son, Bob Mathis, and her grandson, James (Jay) Mathis), her sister Emma Lou Johnston, and her brothers, Eugene Lawson and James Yateman Lawson Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathrine (Kate) Holmes, of Cumming, her grandson Michael S. Smith, of Alpharetta and her sister Gloria Stahl of Waycross, also a niece, Cheryl Cornwell, (Nephews), Dale Durden, Phil Johnston, Lenard Johnston, Kevin Johnston and Gary Lawson.

Mary Frances was a wife, mother and a home maker; she was born into one of the oldest families in South Georgia. Her ancestors were some of the first settlers of Lowndes and Brooks County, pioneering the roads, the stagecoach stops, and the first businesses to be established in that area. Her 3rd Great Grandfather, William Hendry drew the lines for Lowndes County Georgia to be formed. She was descended from early English settlers (the Tilghmans(later Tillman) who came to Jamestown in 1625. Her Scottish ancestors came in 1774 and settled near Savannah, before helping to form the tiny South Georgia Hamlet of Morven, GA, named for their home in Scotland (Mr. Morvern) near the Isle of Arran.

At last count, Mary Frances had 18 ancestor Grandfathers that fought in the American Revolution. Her 4th Great Grandfather, Robert Hendry fought under Light Horse Harry Lee, and was at the battle of York Town when Cornwallis surrendered. He settled near Savannah, became a Justice and Ft. Stewart Georgia is currently the site of where his Plantation once stood.

Mary Frances will be faithfully and lovingly missed by her family and friends.

Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.