James Hampton Matthews Jr.

1934 - 2018

Jr. James Hampton Matthews, Jr., 84 of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on November 5, 2018. He was born in Pavo, Georgia on February 2, 1934 to the late James Hampton Matthews, Sr. and Maxine McLeod Matthews. Jim graduated from Thomasville High School and received a Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia in 1956, where he was a member of Kappa Psi professional fraternity and Alpha Tau Omega. He married Joy Shelton of Valdosta, Georgia in 1961. The two raised their family in Moultrie, Georgia where Jim purchased the existing Cash Drug Store, one of the oldest businesses in Moultrie at the time; situated on the courthouse square with soda fountain intact. Jim was an active member and deacon of Trinity Baptist Church as well as a volunteer and leader in other civic organizations. After forty years, Jim sold the drugstore and moved his wife to Alpharetta, GA to be closer to family. Needing more than retirement, he began working at Wender and Roberts Pharmacy where he gained new customers and friends in Sandy Springs and Roswell. He had his second retirement from pharmacy in 2012. Jim was an avid and talented gardener, well remembered for his rose beds in Moultrie and his beautifully landscaped yards. He was known for his warmth and kindness, his devotion to faith and his family, his dry wit, understated wisdom, and for being the ultimate gentile gentleman.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, his parents, a sister-in-law and four brothers-in-law. He is survived by son James Hampton Matthews, III and wife Millie; daughter Ellen Matthews Hill and husband Rob; daughter Anne Matthews Presley and husband Mike; and seven cherished grandchildren; Jim, Will (wife Kara), and Becky Matthews; Robert and Davis Hill; and Meg and Sarah Presley. Jim is also survived by two sisters; Joy Matthews McKnight and Katherine Matthews O'Connor, a sister-in-law; Anita Hatcher Shelton, and nine nieces and nephews whom he loved and admired.

A graveside service will be held in Valdosta, Georgia on November 24, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Alpharetta Methodist Church, 69 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA, 30009 or the charity of your choice.

Matthews, James Hampton