Mrs. Myrtle Ricketson Mathews, age 98, of Douglas, Georgia passed away peacefully at her residence on Sunday afternoon, July 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Mathews was born January 22, 1928, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late Alton Ricketson and the late Erma Smith Ricketson. She was a 1946 graduate of Douglas High School. She was married to the late Clifton Gerald Mathews, Sr. and together they created a legacy of love through their three children. She was co-founder along with her husband of Mathews Furniture Company, where she was the main bookkeeper for over forty years. She enjoyed square dancing, baking, reading, traveling, and working in her yard, but her greatest joy was time spent with her family. She was also an active member of Harrell Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Along with her husband and parents, Mrs. Mathews was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Shelly Wooten; a great granddaughter, Halee White; three brothers: Raymond Ricketson, J.T. Ricketson, and an infant; as well as three sisters: Doris R. Batton, Jean S. Latham, and Mae R. Anderson.
Mrs. Mathews leaves behind three children: Cecilia M. White and husband, Michael, of Broxton, Georgia, Brenda M. Wooten and husband, Kirk Quarterman, of Douglas, Georgia, and Clifton Mathews, Jr. and wife, Julie, of Nicholls, Georgia; ten grandchildren: Lamar (Melanie), Brandy (Matt), Christopher (Brittani), Bradley, Jared (Sarah), Maggie (Aaron), Michaela (Ranzi), Molly (Matt), Annsley (Cam); and Clifton “Cleeg”,III (Chelsea); thirty two great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and two sisters: Mary R. Thacker of Broxton, Georgia, and Frankie R. Smith of Jamestown, North Carolina.
Mrs. Mathews’ family will receive friends on Saturday afternoon, August 8, 2026, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel. Her funeral service will begin at 4:00 PM in the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James “Jimbo” Steed and Rev. Larry Stone officiating. Musical selections will include “Beulah Land”, “Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me”, and “Across The Bridge” all rendered by Bro. Richard Wilson on guitar and vocals. Interment will follow in the Harrell Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will include Lamar White, Christopher White, Matt McQuaig, Bradley Wooten, Jared Wooten, Cam Coffee, and Cleeg Mathews.
Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Mrs. Mathews’ family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Mrs. Mathews’ arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.