Nancy Jo Lazenby Mattox

Nancy Jo Lazenby Mattox, 82, of Collierville, TN, went home to be with her Lord on December 14*, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born on August 30th, 1942, to the late Sam and Josephine Lazenby, in Hughes, AR. Nancy was a proud graduate of Hughes High School in 1960, where she was the salutatorian of her graduating class. She played on the basketball team, was a cheerleader and a member of the Blue Devil Marching Band. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Memphis State University. It was during that time she met her husband, Richard, in 1963, while they were both working at Walgreens. They were married on October 15th, 1963. She graduated from Memphis State in 1964, with a degree in sociology. Over the years, Nancy had several careers, with her first being a social worker in Memphis for the state of Tennessee. In 1967, they were transferred to Huntsville, AL, followed by Nashville, TN where she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank. Upon moving back to Memphis, she opened a picture frame shop, The Framin' House, with her longtime friend, Camille Thomas. After selling the business in the early 90's, she went back to school to become a paralegal. She worked for FedEx in their legal department and for several attorneys in private practice. Nancy and Richard were active members of Bartlett United Methodist Church for over 50 years and members of the Progressive Sunday School class, where Nancy enjoyed being a regular substitute teacher. Nancy had many hobbies and interests. She and Richard were avid sports fan and enjoyed being long time season ticket holders for the Memphis Tigers football and basketball teams, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Tennessee Titans and the NASCAR races at the BristolMotor Speedway over the years. Nancy also enjoyed playing bridge for over thirty years, and in later years, joined a lady's bowling league. Her bridge club and bowling friends brought her much joy over the years with their trips to Grand Valley Lake, monthly birthday lunches, and the annual bowling Christmas party. Nancy and Richard also shared a love of travel. She especially enjoyed cruising, and their trips through the Panama Canal, Alaska and several transatlantic cruises. Nancy received a new name in 1994. She became "Mimi" for the next 30 years to her five beloved grandchildren. She was always up for an adventure, and they will cherish the many experiences and life lessons she shared with them. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Richard Mattox and daughters Leigh Ann Mattox Stevenson (Phil) of Memphis, TN, Tracy Mattox Bowers (Brit) of Johnson City, TN and her five grandchildren, Drew Stevenson of New York City, Grant Stevenson of Little Rock, AR, Emma Stevenson of Dallas, TX, Will Bowers of Bristol, TN and Grace Bowers of Knoxville, TN. A visitation will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm in the sanctuary of Germantown United Methodist Church located at 2331 South Germantown Road, Germantown, TN 38138. There will be a private family interment. The family would like to thank the staff of both Jordan River Skilled Nursing Facility and Baptist Reynolds Hospice House for the loving care they gave Nancy the past 17 months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or St Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), or a charity of the donor's choice.