Alice Virginia Mathews

Clyde, North Carolina – Our beautiful mother, Alice Virginia Mathews died at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC, on May 4, 2024. She was 90 years young.

Alice is survived by daughters, Rhonda Johnson, Rita Fritz (husband, Gary Fritz); Stepchildren, Adrianne Ruege (husband, David Ruege), Anita Logan (husband Pete); David Mathews (wife, Barbara) and Mack Mathews (wife, Debbie); daughter-in-law Lashane Mathews; Included are grandchildren; Sonja, Alaina, Jeriah, Thomas, Zacary, Nicki and Shandy. Included are great-grandchildren, Ashley, Celestina, Anthony, Corbin, Kadence and Nerissa. Great-great grandchildren include Kloe, Claire, Charlotte, and Kalani.

Alice is preceded in death by sons, Harlan Mathews and Chris Mathews: sisters, Dorothy (Dot) and Nell: brother, James: favored niece, Susan, who always came by when needed and helped Alice in many ways.

Alice was born in Sylva, NC on January 12, 1934, the daughter of Etta Barnes and stepfather Red. One of ten siblings, she spent many of her younger years living with her grandparents, Clinton and Belle on their mountain-place home in Jackson County. She married Garret Mathews in 1953/54, and moved to Garberville, CA, where she remained until 1972/1973, when she returned to Clyde. She and Garrett divorced around 1997. She never remarried and lived a peaceful and contented life to her death.

Alice was a remarkable woman. Despite many challenges in life, she was resilient and moved forward no matter the obstacle. She was hard working and knew how to live simply and frugally, traits passed on to her by her loving grandparents. Alice had a pioneer spirit exampled through her love for cooking, gardening, canning and making do with little. She dug wells, repaired appliances, chopped wood, raised animals to feed her family, etc. Alice produced a large fruitful garden each year until just a few years ago due to health issues. She passed her homemaking skills and work ethic along to her daughters who are as determined and strong as she was. Alice also passed on her work ethic to her sons and stepsons who (were and are) hard workers and were rarely without a job. All of Alice's children grew to be productive and successful because of her influence. Enjoying all genres, Alice also became an avid reader over the last quarter of her life.  

Owing to her upbringing, Alice was quiet about what she believed until her later years when she became expressive about her faith and politics. Though she never desired a computer, she had an amazing ability to keep up with current events and (truthful) news sources. Given a different upbringing there is no doubt Alice would have become an advocate for all that is right and true.

Alice and her youngest son Chris (born in her late 30's) were very close. After Chris became a Christian, they shared a love for scripture and prayed together on a regular basis. Chris was devoted to Alice and became a strength for her throughout her later years. It was a great loss when he died in 2019. Lashane, Chris' wife and their daughters lived nearby Alice, and checked in on her on a regular basis, helping her whenever needed.

Alice outlived most of her friends and family. Shay and Pat, two of her closest remaining friends, reside in Clyde. Shay, who says of Alice; “she was a sweet, loving person and one of a kind. She will surely be missed.”; and Pat comments: “we were good friends and neighbors. There was never a harsh word between us, and we depended on each other. We shared our gardens, and Alice always brought me fresh cantaloupe when it first came in season.”

We love you, Alice. We will miss you deeply. You will always be in our hearts. We will see you in Heaven.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service is scheduled for 2 PM (Friends from 1 p.m – 2 p.m.), May 18, 2024, at Appalachian Funeral Services, 165 Skyland Dr in Sylva, NC.  Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Sylva.