Joan “Joann” Matheson
Joan “Joann” Matheson, 82, of Hayesville, was promoted to her eternal heavenly home, surrounded by loving family, on Thursday, June 23, 2022.
Joann was born in the Shooting Creek area to the late Wade and Faye Hooper Moss.
Joann attended Shooting Creek School, transferring to Hayesville High School, where she graduated in 1957. She met her love, Ralph, her sophomore year in high school. Ralph later left for Ohio and Joann left for Atlanta to work. Joann worked at Sears Distribution Center and Southern Bell while in Atlanta. Atlanta did not last long for Joann, as Ralph went to bring her home and ask her to marry him. They married on Feb. 22, 1958. Joann and Ralph lived in Ohio until 1963. They returned to Clay County, bought property in Carter Cove and lived there until their passing.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sweetheart and love, Ralph Matheson, in 2010. She is also preceded in death by two brothers, Hubert and Carroll Moss; and an infant sister, Mary Lou Moss.
Surviving are two sons, Wayne Matheson and wife, Martha, of Hayesville, and Tim Matheson, of the home; one daughter, Debbie Moore and husband, Jerry, of Hayesville; four grandchildren, Chad Matheson and wife, Kimberly, Brandon Matheson and wife, Andrea, LeAnn and Sara Moore all of Hayesville; nine great-grandchildren, Dakota and Ella Matheson, Braiden Martin, A.J. and Ali Austin, Calee Martin, Evin and Alexia Fields and Gracie Matheson; two brothers, J.C. "Calvin" Moss and wife, Brigette, of Berlin, Germany and Wade Moss Jr., of Hayesville; five sisters; Mildred Shook, of Young Harris, Ga., Bernett Gibson and husband, Roy Lee, of Young Harris, Betty Sue Taylor and husband, Dennis, of Buford, Ga., Elaine Moss and husband, Roger, of Hayesville and Lanette Cunningham and husband, Mike, of Suwanne, Ga.
Joann retired in 2001 from the State of North Carolina as pioneer director for the WIC program in Clay County. Earlier in life she had worked at the Shooting Creek School as the lunchroom lady.
Joann was a devoted wife to her husband and mother to her children. She was a mother and grandmother figure to many others that she invited into her home or others that the children and grandchildren would bring home. She always took them in and loved them in a way that they too felt like family. They all knew that "nanny" loved them, too. She had a very unique way of knowing what others needed and making sure they had it.
She was a loyal charter member of Grace Baptist Church where her husband Ralph had served as a Deacon until his passing. She also served on the Clay County Care Center Auxiliary.
Joann loved singing and did so most of her life. She sang on area radio stations in her younger years, winning contests, She later sang in church with her children, her in-laws and then her grandchildren. She was always singing around home and left many memories of songs she sang. She had a great love for cooking for her family and anyone else that she could talk into coming over for supper or Sunday dinner. She made handwritten cookbooks for her family expressing the joy she had over the years feeding her family. She was the ideal homemaker. She handmade family clothes, grew a garden and preserved food for the winter. She was always adamant about a clean house.
Joann was an avid reader and loved to read God's word. Joann enjoyed traveling. Her children, grandchildren and sisters were always planning their next trip with her.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 26 at Catalyst Church, 1726 Hwy. 64 E Hayesville. Pastors Wayne Matheson, Brandon Matheson and Lawrence English officiated. Music was provided by Amy Hooper, Tina Lundy, Derek Moss, Daniel Moss and Billy Garrett.
Joann was laid to rest beside her love, Ralph, at Grace Baptist Church on Carter Cove Road in Hayesville. Pallbearers were Jerry Moore, Chad and Dakota Matheson, Braiden Martin, A.J. Austin, Derek and Daniel Moss. Honorary pallbearers were Billy Ellis, Mike Moss, Alex Cunningham, Brian Cunningham, Lee Moss, Billy Moss, John Moss and Mike Shook.
The family received friends and family from 1-3 p.m. at Catalyst Church, prior to the memorial service.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home: www.townson-rose.com was in charge of arrangements.