Jeanne Elizabeth Mathews, 74, of Bluffton, South Carolina died February 23, 2026.
She was born August 14, 1951 in Marion, Alabama, the eldest daughter of the late Dr. James W. Mathews and the late Mrs. Elizabeth Owens Mathews.
Her family relocated to Carrollton, Georgia in 1960, where she became deeply entwined with her community.
A proud member of the Class of 1969, Jeanne graduated from Carrollton High School, where she kept busy as news editor of the student newspaper, member of the Flag Corps, and participant in the debate club. She frequently reminisced about the halls of CHS, where her closest lifelong friendships began. She began her collegiate career at the University of West Georgia (formerly West Georgia College), before she headed off to the University of Tennessee, where she was initiated into Alpha Gamma Delta. She was also elected Senior Class president and was the Sigma Nu White Rose in 1972. She graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and later received her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of West Georgia in 1992.
Jeanne was known to those around her as an incredibly hard worker, which was reflected in her successful career. She spent many years working for Tanner Medical Center, where her last position was Vice President of Marketing. She worked as the Georgia Region’s Director of Marketing Communications for HCA before her relocation to Brentwood, Tennessee to work as Corporate Director of Physician Communications. She was then Vice President of Marketing at PICA for six years before moving back to Georgia. She served as Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing at Berry College until her retirement in 2016.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jeanne was a woman of many passions. She was a devoted scrapbooker and enjoyed reflecting on the memories she created with her family. An avid reader, she was rarely without a book (or two) – a love she passed on to her children and grandchildren. A passionate sports fan, her loyalty to the Tennessee Vols never wavered, and she spent many hours cheering on the Orange and White. Jeanne also had a generous heart that extended outside her family – she served as a foster mother and gave her time and resources to charitable causes throughout her life.
Her beloved sister Marianna was one of the true loves of her life, and spirited debates with Frank – her favorite political sparring partner – brought her no small amount of joy. Above all, Jeanne cherished her role as grandmother, and her six grandchildren were the joy of her life.
In 2020, she relocated from Georgia to Bluffton, South Carolina where she spent her final years embracing coastal life and finding great joy by the water – one of her favorite places to read.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. James W. Mathews and Elizabeth Owens Mathews; and her daughter Merrell Caroline Mecklin. She is survived by daughter Raleigh Elizabeth Mecklin (James Barnes) of Bluffton, South Carolina and son Andrew Mecklin (Bethany Mecklin) of Carrollton, Georgia; grandchildren Caroline Barnes, Jacob Barnes, Rachel Mecklin, Benjamin Mecklin, Anderson Mecklin, and Carter Barnes. She is also survived by sister Marianna Mathews Folger (Frank Folger) of Trophy Club, Texas; niece Lindsey Folger Brown (Chris Shephard); and niece Claire Folger Brown (Charles Brown) and their children Evie and Eliot Brown.
The family visitation will be Friday, February 27, 2026 from 5-7 p.m at Almon Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 2 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church with Reverend Jeff Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Carroll Memory Gardens. Pallbearers are James Barnes, Jacob Barnes, Frank Folger, Matthew Richert, James Cooper and David Gillon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. James W. Mathews Scholarship Fund at the University of West Georgia, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118.
Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com
Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.
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This obituary was published by Almon Funeral Home and Chapel – Carrollton.
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