Mrs. Terry Timmerman Mathews

Terry Timmerman Mathews died on September 30, 2026. She was 97 years old and, in the words of a family friend, a “force” throughout her life whose expectations and example her children will, with love and admiration, continue to do their best to honor.

Born across the street from the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas to Earnest William and Cleora Freeman Timmerman, when five years old she and her family moved to her father’s hometown of Plains, GA. After Plains they moved to Atlanta and by the time she was eight to her mother’s hometown of Macon, GA, all because of the great depression. Terry spent the remainder of her formative years in Macon and graduated from Miller High School, after which she attended the University of Georgia where she was a Phi Mu. There she met Albert Matthews Thompson whom she married in 1948. With their two children they moved to his hometown, Thomaston, GA, in 1956 following Albert’s service with the United States Air Force and a return to Athens to finish his degree at the University of Georgia. Despite their marriage ending, and with the unwavering support, encouragement and love of Al’s parents and sister, Charlie, Martha and Josephine Thompson, Terry made the decision to remain in Thomaston to ensure their children were surrounded by family. That decision led to her 1958 marriage to Edmond Rylander Mathews and happily to the births of Mary and Tracy, two little sisters for Marty and Chuck.

In addition to the 24/7 responsibilities that come with rearing four children, she found time throughout the years to make Thomaston her own by volunteering in various capacities with organizations that she felt were important for the well being of her treasured community. Among them are the Upson County Hospital, Thomaston Garden Club, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Upson County Tree Board, Community Thrift Store, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the Hightower Memorial Library for which she served as chair of the building committee.

A life long learner, she never stopped utilizing every opportunity available to her to stay informed and educated on the issues facing our country and world from all points of view, not just the ones with which she agreed. This is one of the many sometimes daunting but invaluable lessons her children attempt to carry forward.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Edmond Mathews, and her beloved Anna Walker, in many ways as much a mother to her as her own.

Survivors include children: Marty Thompson Robinson (Curt), Lookout Mountain, GA; Chuck Thompson (Kathy), Yatesville, GA; Mary Mathews Eubanks (Ken), Round Hill, VA; Tracy Mathews Mendez-Vigo (Luke), Thomaston, GA. Grandchildren: Lowndes Robinson, Jordan Robinson Yarbrough (J), Jeffrey Olverd, Carson Thompson Melo (Eddie), Cameron Thompson Moore (Pierce), Kendall Warnock (Danielle), Mat Eubanks (Taylor), Sara Eubanks. Great grandchildren: Randall and Yeats Yarbrough, Helen and Hazel Moore, Arlis Melo, EJ Eubanks, Skylar Olverd.

Terry’s family is especially grateful to Kayla Harp with Thomaston Hospice, the very patient and caring staff at West Village Retirement Home, sisters Cathy Johnson and Mary Wellmaker who lovingly looked after our mom (“Goose” to her grandchildren) around the clock during the last few weeks of her life and Dr. Benjamin Williams, her long time physician who saw her through life’s inevitable ups and downs with care and compassion. All people with a special calling, a gift to those fortunate enough to benefit from their ministrations.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 7, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, at Fletcher Day Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow. There will be a private family burial at a later time.

For those who wish to do so, please make memorial contributions to the Community Care Thrift Store, 108 Short E Street, Thomaston, GA 30286.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is honored to serve the Mathews family. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.