August 27, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana, she later moved to Tampa and attended Wilson Junior
High and H.B. Plant High School and graduated with her RN from The Methodist Hospital
School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1947. She worked for Dr. Meadows and Dr. Myers for most
of her career and later in retirement was a Red Cross Volunteer at Memorial. Mary Ann married
Benjamin Earl Mathews, Jr in 1948. Her most cherished role was that of matriarch to her large
and loving family. She enjoyed working with teenagers at church and was an avid sports fan,
cheering on her favorite teams, with Notre Dame being #1 in her rankings. She also had great
affection for dogs of all sizes. She joined her beloved husband of sixty-three years Earl
Mathews in heaven and she is survived by her five children: Marjorie (Perry) Hodges, Mary
Ellen (Keith) Garner, Jim (Marysue) Mathews, Walton Mathews and Shane (Eileen) Mathews.
Her grandchildren: Trey (Stephanie) Hodges Mathew (Erin) Hodges, Elizabeth (Kyle) Baldwin,
Benjamin (Dalyn) Mathews, Jeremiah (Beth) Mathews, Jordan Mathews, Samantha Mathews,
Zane Garner, Conor Mathews and great-grandchildren: Rex & Elizabeth Hodges, Lilly & Ellie
Baldwin, Ayden & Camryn Mathews, and Sydney & Shelby Hodges. Visitation with the family
will be held from 6-8 pm, Friday, January 11th at Blount and Curry (605 S. MacDill Ave). Funeral
services will be held at 11am, Saturday, January 12th, at Bayshore Baptist Church. In lieu of
flowers, contributions may be made to Bayshore Baptist Church and Doctors Without Borders.