Frances Pauline Watkins Mathews, 74, of the Towstring Community went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 6 at her residence. A native of Rockingham County and longtime resident of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late James Monroe and Minnie Watkins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Norma Jean Blankenship; one brother, Phillip Watkins; and one granddaughter, Juleesa Hayes.
She was a member of the Towstring Baptist Church. She was a longtime employee with Heritage Quilts and Tuckaseegee Mills and also a partner in RM Chemicals. She was a very devoted Christian wife, mother, and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of 19 years Raymond Mathews; three sons, Timothy Hayes and wife Latresa of Franklin, Terry Hayes and wife Eva of Kenly, and R.L. Mathews and wife Kandice of Cherokee; two daughters, Melissa Barker and husband Craig of Cherokee, and Tammy Moore and husband Jake of Cherokee; 12 grandchildren, Stephanie, Cullen, Brandie, Alex, LaDonna, Katrina, Shalyn, Paytyn, Melah, Addisyn, Tanner, And Dylan; five great grandchildren; one brother, Carl Watkins of Lilburn, Ga.; two sisters, Yvonne McCann and Hilda LaManna, both of Reidsville; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to say a special thank you to our hospice nurses, Kim and Kathrine, and C.N.A Jessie.
Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, Nov. 9 at the Chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Eugene Moore will officiate with burial in Swain Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lifepath Hospice at Great Smokies Health Foundation PO Box 176 Sylva, NC 28779.