WILKESBORO While surrounded by family, Marie Shew Mathis, age 80, of Wilkesboro went to her final home. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 14, 2013 at Antioch Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Pardue and the Rev. Bert Mathis officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Saturday night. Mrs. Mathis was born in Wilkes County, NC on June 10, 1933, to George and Lydia Call Shew. She attended Roaring River High School and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. Mrs. Mathis was married to the late Rogan T. Mathis and was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Helen Johnson of Statesville, brother, Claude Shew, Sr. of Clingman and infant brother, Kenneth Shew. Growing up during the depression gave Marie a sense of hard work. She moved to Baltimore, MD in her twenties to work and later returned to North Carolina and worked at L L Marten and Western Electric in Winston-Salem. In the late 50's, she and husband, Rogan returned to Wilkes County and with Billy Mathis founded Mathis Brothers Grading Co. Marie became a homemaker and was known for her wonderful cooking and hospitality. Both will be greatly missed by those who knew her. Mrs. Mathis is survived by two daughters, Donna McDowell and husband, Richard of Wilkesboro and Robin Stanley and husband, Rocky of Wilkesboro; one son, Chad Mathis and wife, Renee of Ronda; one sister, Florence Calloway of Clingman; one brother, Bobby Shew and wife, Patricia of Wilkesboro; six grandchildren, Holly Eldridge Prevette and husband, Cole, Garrett Eldridge, Dustin Stanley, Devin Stanley, Jonathan Mathis and Lakyn Mathis; seven great grandchildren. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Antioch Baptist Church Playground Fund, c/o Don Inscore, 1894 Antioch Church Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro will be in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

© 2013 Winston-Salem Journal.