Audrey Mathews

Canton - Audrey Jane Liner Mathews, age 83, who was proud to call the Beaverdam Community her life-long residence, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 4, 2017.

Audrey was the only child born to John Broadus and Mary Lou Robinson Liner and received her early education in the Canton school system and was a graduate of Canton High School. She and her husband, Guy S. Mathews, were elementary and high school classmates and were married in 1953. Audrey developed a life-long love for music. She was self-driven to walk to her piano lessons given by Mrs. Frank Mease who nurtured her early music education. Ultimately, Audrey, served as an organist and pianist for the Beaverdam United Methodist Church for many years. She took great pride in preparing for the yearly Easter Cantata at her church. Audrey's employment career included A&L Hobby Craft of Asheville, John Carroll of Asheville, and also served as a tour guide for the Winery at Biltmore Estates.

In addition to music, Audrey had various interests in her life through handicrafts, art, and travel. She taught crafts through the Haywood County Home Extension at Lake Junaluska, Luther Ridge, and Montreat. She was selected numerous times as a juried participant in the NC State Fair, Village of Yesteryear. Food preservation was an important interest to Audrey who preserved jams and jellies of every description and could can everything from green beans to dandelion wine.

Audrey took great pride of her deep roots in the Beaverdam Community by becoming a founding member and the first president of the Beaverdam Community Club. In her love of travel, Audrey visited Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. With a love of cultural exchange, Audrey opened her home to host Folkmoot participants for many years. Audrey was a charter member in the formation of the Blue Ridge Watercolor Media Society, serving two terms as president.

Of all Audrey's accomplishments, her family was her greatest achievement. Her family will always have memories of her as a devoted wife and very beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Guy Samuel Mathews; two daughters, Sharon M. Powell and husband, Jimmy, of Canton and Cindy M. Fish and her husband, Garry, of Greensboro, NC; one son, John S. Mathews and his wife, Akrus, of Canton; five grandchildren, Ben Powell and his wife, Heather, of Canton, Lauren P. Carr and her husband, Alex, of Asheville, Jon Patrick Fish of Greensboro, NC, Kelly Anne Fish of Raleigh, and Cole Jonathan Mathews of Canton; two great-grandchildren, Olivia Tucker Powell and James Alexander Carr; and her caregiver for over three years, Deannie Brooks.

A service celebrating the life of Audrey Liner Mathews will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Melissa Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at Beaverdam Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. prior to the services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to SARGE'S Animal Rescue Foundation, PO Box 854, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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