Mary Jane Matthews

Waynesville, Mary Jane Matthews, passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

Born on November 10, 1940, in Dover, New Hampshire to Charles and Ernestine Maguire, Mary Jane lived a life dedicated to family and friends, faith, and a passion for serving others.

A lifelong servant in retail spaces, Mary Jane worked in a variety of stores from Burdines in South Florida to Belk, Wal-Mart, The Tool Shed, and Mast General Store in Haywood County.   She and her husband, Jerry, also owned and operated Reed’s Acorn Motel in Black Mountain, NC for eight years in the mid 1970’s.

Mary Jane was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Waynesville for almost 40 years where she served in countless ways including teaching Sunday School, decorating for special events, and being a generous giver of time and tithes.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Hill Matthews, their infant son, Clinton Charles Matthews, and her brother, Timothy Maguire.  She is survived by her son, Clinton Timothy Matthews, his wife Kalyn Galloway Matthews, and her granddaughter, Juniper Maguire Matthews, of Clyde.  Mary Jane is also survived by two brothers, Thomas and Patrick Maguire who reside in Florida, as well as her sister-in-law, Joan Biller and best friend, Polly McDowell, of Haywood County.

In honoring Mary Jane’s memory, let us celebrate a life well-lived as a loving wife and mother, tireless servant, and dear friend.  May she rest in eternal peace knowing she was truly loved and respected by many.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Haywood Hospice and Palliative Care whose expertise and loving care made Mary Jane’s journey across the rainbow bridge effortless and beautiful.