Bessie Lassiter Hayes Mathis, 80, of Tifton passed away Monday, December 4, 2017, at the Rehabilitation Center of South Georgia in Tifton. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 7, 2017, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Eldridge Bowen officiating. Mrs. Mathis will be laid to rest at Eureka Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Irwin County. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Born April 3, 1937 in Tift County, Mrs. Mathis was the daughter of the late John Wesley Lassiter, Sr. and Nancy Viola Gay Lassiter. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charlie Lassiter and David Lassiter; and one sister, Joyce Lassiter Nobles. She was retired from the hospitality industry and was a member of Tifton’s First Presbyterian Church for over 71 years and was the oldest member.
Mrs. Mathis is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, JoAnne Bowen and husband, Eldridge of Cordele and Elaine Mathis Tucker of Tifton; two brothers, John Wesley Lassiter, Jr. of Tifton and Ellis Lassiter of Jesup; three sisters, Evelyn Lassiter Phillips of Brookfield, Myrtice Lassiter Bennett of Tifton and Betty Lassiter Cox of Omega; a sister-in-law, Clara Lassiter of Sylvester; a brother-in-law, Charles Nobles of Albany; four grandchildren, Benjamin Tapley, Christopher Tapley, Blake Talley and Matthew Tucker; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild on the way. She was also survived by Tammy Morris, who was like a daughter to her.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tift Area, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793; or to a church of choice.