Wanda Mathews

Born in Chattanooga, TN on March 20, 1935

Departed on December 16, 2014 and resided in Nashville, TN

Mrs. Wanda Mathews (née Phillips) died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee on December 16 at the age of 79.

Wanda is survived by her husband, Rev. James L. Mathews; children, Jeanie Mathews-Price and Sherri Mathews-Middendorf, both of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Savannah Price, Harrison Price, Grayson Price, Hudson Price, August Price, and Isaac Middendorf, all of Nashville, Tennessee; and siblings, Barbra Evans of Mariana, Florida, Jack Phillips of Hilliard, Ohio, and Pam Stonecipher of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. She is preceded in death by her parents, J.D. and Verna Phillips; her siblings, David Phillips, Judy Sullivan, and Caroline Phillips; and a grandson, Nieman Middendorf.

Wanda was born on March 20, 1935 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to J.D. and Verna Phillips. She graduated from Chattanooga High School, attended Trevecca Nazarene University, and graduated from West Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and Ball State University with a Master of Library Science (‎MLS) degree.

She married James Mathews, her college sweetheart, a Church of the Nazarene and United Methodist minister, in 1956. They were married for 58 years. After earning her MLS degree, Wanda began working for Tennessee State University as a professor and reference librarian. She served on the faculty senate and on the promotion and tenure committee.

Wanda and her husband worked for over five decades in pastoral ministry. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene, Nashville, Tennessee, and Denton's Chapel United Methodist Church, White's Creek, Tennessee. She served as a Sunday school teacher, director of music, choir director, and soloist. She was also a published author and is included in Personalities of the South.

A viewing is scheduled at 11:30 with a funeral at 1:00 on Saturday, December 20 in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37220. Pastors Dr. Todd B. Jones and Dr. Jeff Fryer will officiate the ceremony. Interment will follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, 9090 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221. Rev. Bill Smith will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate a life well lived.
HARPETH HILLS FUNERAL HOME. www.harpethhils.com 615-646-9292