Dorothy Mathews

Dorothy "Dot" Eugenia Hall Mathews, 83, of Birmingham, passed away Friday, November 27, 2009. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jimmie C. Mathews Sr.; son, Jimmie C. Mathews Jr. (June) of Trussville; daughter, Polly Mathews Gaskins (Scott) of Hoover; two grandchildren, Hunter Marshall Gaskins and Alexis Taylor Gaskins, both of Hoover; sister, Loretta Sue Mergens (Sid) of Atlanta, Ga.; two nieces, Susan Masters (Scott) of Johns Creek, Ga., and Sandee Edmondson of McDonough, Ga.; five great-nieces Courtney, Shelby, Peyton and Taylor Masters, and Kristen Edmondson; great-nephew Brett Edmondson; and a host of other special family members and friends. Mrs. Mathews was preceded in death by her parents, Vinnie B. and Emmett C. Hall of Atlanta, Ga. Born October 5, 1926, in DeKalb County, Ala., Dot was raised by her parents on the family farm at Sand Mountain, surrounded by her grandmother, uncle and cousins. She graduated from Geraldine High School in 1944 and moved to Atlanta to begin a job in government. Her parents and sister later joined her there. She worked in a variety of office jobs before marrying and moving to Birmingham in the mid-1950s.

A strong, determined and outgoing woman, Dot persevered through a number of health setbacks over the past several years. DotDot, as she was fondly called by her grandchildren, was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She always taught her children and grandchildren to do the right thing and took pride in their accomplishments. Dot was also a devoted daughter who wanted the best for her parents and made every effort to see they got it as long as they lived. She followed politics and current events and loved sunshine, pansies, and hummingbirds. She also enjoyed daily talks on the phone with her loving sister, faithful friends and family. She was a longtime member of Wilson Chapel United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at noon on Monday, November 30, at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home with burial to follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville. The family will receive visitors from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, November 29, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in memory of Dorothy "Dot" Mathews, to the American Diabetes Association 200 Office Park Drive Mountain Brook AL 35223. Jefferson Memorial Trussville Directing.