Betty Swafford Matthews

Betty Catherine Swafford Matthews, 90, passed away on May 9, 2016 at Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain Hospice in Marietta, GA. She was born on October 12, 1925 in Acworth, GA to John Lewis and Annie Mae Swafford. Betty grew up in Acworth, GA. She graduated from Acworth High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball. After high school she worked for the Bell Bomber Plant (Lockheed) during WWII and MacDougal and Warren. At age 60, she graduated from Kennesaw College (KSU) with her RN degree and retired from Kennestone Hospital (WellStar), where she loved working with the mothers and newborn babies. Betty married James E. Matthews of Kennesaw, GA in 1945. They were happily married for 36 years and had four children together. They were very involved in their church where Betty enjoyed playing the piano while James sang. Their love of gospel music transcended to their three daughters, The Matthews Sisters, who performed on a local radio station and throughout their community. Betty enjoyed reading, antiquing and traveling. She took ball room dance lessons at Arthur Murray and won a dance contest for the Charleston in her younger days. Betty was a true Southern Belle and full of grace. Her radiant smile would light up an entire room. She was beautiful, loving, wise, proud and independent. She was truly a lovely lady and will be missed immensely. We love you Mother, Grandmother, Gigi! Betty is survived by her children, Jana “Jan” Rose Hart of Marietta, Gary Edward Matthews of Kennesaw, Vickie Diane Chastain of Kennesaw, Karen Rich of Marietta; grandchildren, Angela Delavie (Todd), Dana Bishop (Ben), Gary Don Matthews (Bonnie), Ashley Smallwood (Gordon); great-grandchildren, Allison and Jessica Delavie, Sara Grace Bishop, and Tyler, Andrew, and Erin Matthews; her sister, Bobbi Naboni of Gulfport, MS and several nieces and nephews who lovingly knew her as “Aunt Cat”. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Matthews, parents, John Lewis and Annie Mae Swafford, and several siblings, including four sisters and two brothers. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta with Rev. Norman Markle and Rev. Newt Hendrix officiating. Interment will take place at Greers Chapel Cemetery in Kennesaw. Flowers are appreciated, but donations may also be made in loving memory of Betty to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

Betty Swafford Matthews

October 12, 1925 - May 9, 2016