Athline Howard Hodges Mathews

Athline Howard Hodges Mathews, 84, of Hinesville, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, under the care of Hospice Savannah. 

Born March 23, 1935, in Statesboro to David Howard and Annie Ruth Ballard Howard, Athline attended Dorchester Academy and Bradwell Institute in Liberty County before graduating from Commercial High School in Savannah.   She married her high school sweetheart, Robert “Bobby” Hodges, of Riceboro on June 5, 1955, and their daughter, Deborah LaBeth “Debbie” Hodges, was born in Savannah on March 8, 1961.  Bobby, who owned and operated a grocery store in Riceboro, was shot and fatally wounded during an armed robbery at the store on October 8, 1993.  Athline and her second husband, Robert H. “Bob” Mathews, were married on April 26, 2003.  Bob retired from the Savannah Morning News in 2008 after 40 years as a reporter and later in various editorial positions, and is now employed by Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation at Fort Stewart. 

Athline was employed at Interstate Paper Corp. (now DS Smith) for 36 years.  She joined the company when it first began operations in 1968 and remained with them until retiring as an Administrative Assistant in December of 2004.  She treasured the friends she made at Interstate and remained in close contact with them until her death.  Athline was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Hinesville where she served as an elder and was active in the Presbyterian Women.  She was a member of Morning Glory Garden Club for many years and, in her later years, she took up Bridge and was a member of two active clubs until her health began to fail. 

Her grandsons, James Bridwell and Joshua Bridwell were great sources of pride in Athline’s life.  She was active in their lives as children and remained close to them until her death.  Athline cherished her many friends and loved each for their own unique qualities.  She loved to travel. 

She was preceded in death by brothers Randall, Waldo, her twin brother Alfred, and her sisters, Louise Howard Rivenbark and Dot Howard. 

Surviving are her husband, Robert H. “Bob” Mathews; daughter, Deborah Hodges Bridwell (Eric) of
Savannah; stepsons, Robert H. Mathews, Jr., of Conover, NC, and Barry Mathews (Angie) of Augusta; stepdaughter, Holly Baker (Louis) of Savannah; grandsons, James Bridwell (Kristen) of Abilene and Joshua Bridwell (Nicole) of Athens; and a number of step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 6-8 pm, Friday, May 24, 2019, at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel.   Memorial Services will begin at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 25, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church of Hinesville. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. 

Interment will be in Hinesville Cemetery.

Remembrances to First Presbyterian Church of Hinesville, 320 East Memorial Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313, or Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA, 31416, are welcome.

Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.CarterOglethorpe.com.