Mary Vivian Matthews Lindsey, 92, went home to Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of September 10, 2012 after an extended illness. Mrs. Lindsey died at home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2012, at Northside Baptist Church. Dr. Fred Evers, Dr. Danny Ray and Rev. David Matthews will officiate with interment to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Jeff Shipley, John Clifton, Tommy Jackson, Larry Jackson, Allen Saunders and Mark Hall will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Senior Adult Department of Northside Baptist Church, along with Hospice of Tiftarea staff, Mamie, Bernadette, Blakely, Angela, Crystal, Joe and Dr. Marcus Roberts. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Lindsey was born in Worth County on October 23, 1919 and was the oldest child of the Rev. Tom (T. H.) and Bessie Walters Matthews, both deceased, moving to Tifton when she was two. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Leon A. Lindsey; and her son, James L. Lindsey.
Mrs. Lindsey graduated from Tifton Public Schools in 1936, joining the work force by working at Wright's Ice Cream Shop, McCrory's 5 and 10-cent store and the Tifton Rug Mill, until she married and became a full-time wife and mother.
Having the privilege of being baptized by her father at the age of 13 in a creek near Salem Baptist Church, Mrs. Lindsey was a devout Christian and very involved in church, beginning at First Baptist Church of Tifton and then at Northside Baptist Church, where she was a charter member. Mrs. Lindsey was very active at Northside Baptist Church, working as a Sunday school teacher in the primary department, and led the Sunbeams, the children's Wednesday night class and was a member of the Saints Alive Choir. Many older members of Northside Baptist will remember Mrs. Lindsey as always being at the church every time the doors were open, rain or shine, and always having a smile on her face.
One of the things that brought joy to Mrs. Lindsey was being in her garden and watching her vegetables grow and putting up food in her freezer. Every time the Senior Adult department planned a trip, Mrs. Lindsey was one of the first to sign up, enjoying traveling with her church friends and especially the trips her son, James, planned. However, her greatest joy was derived from her family – being around her family (immediate and extended), cooking for them and spending time visiting and reminiscing with them.
Mrs. Lindsey, along with her husband and several other families, was instrumental in the meetings, fundraising and the founding of Tiftarea Academy.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Ronnie Wells of Tifton; one grandson, Christopher Leon Penley of Sorrento, Florida; one granddaughter and her husband, Amanda Wells Newkirk and Anthony Newkirk; and two great-grandsons, Connor and Kyle Newkirk. She is also survived by four sisters and one brother-in-law, Marie Shipley of Tifton, Wylene Jackson of Tifton, Maxine and Bob Keoughan of Macon and Ruth Davis of Rock Hill, South Carolina; many nieces and nephews and her extended family via her son-in-law.
The family of Mrs. Lindsey wishes to acknowledge Hospice of Tiftarea for all their care and support during Mrs. Lindsey's illness, but especially to Mamie, Angela, Crystal, Bernadette, Blakely, Joe and Dr. Marcus Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Tiftarea, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793, or to the building fund of Northside Baptist Church, 4605 Murray Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794.