Janie Mathis

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Mrs. Janie Darnell Mathis, 70, passed away on March 19, 2017, in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Janie was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Elkin to Joseph Staley and Mae Wall Darnell. She graduated from East Wilkes High School in 1965. It was there she met James Franklin "Jim" Mathis and the two high school sweethearts went on to marry on Aug. 27, 1967. Janie worked for many years in the banking industry and then became a stay at home mom to son, Brian, and daughter, Jolie. A wonderful, loving mom, Janie enjoyed many years at home until she returned to the banking industry later in life. She retired from Bank of America, having won many performance awards and certificates in her career. She and Jim had the wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and family to celebrate 50 years of marriage, a little early, on April 30, 2016. Janie loved her hometown of Elkin and treasured visiting often to see immediate and extended family. She and Jim enjoyed traveling and visited many places throughout the country in their years of marriage. Having been diagnosed at an early age with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Janie battled the lifelong disease with grace and dignity. Above all things, she was a loving wife, an amazing mom, special sister and beloved Mimi to Elizabeth and James. She loved for her grandchildren to sit with her and read a book together. She was adored by all who knew her. She loved music and enjoyed countless concerts throughout her life, including some of her favorites — The Allman Brothers, The Eagles and Paul McCartney. She loved arts and crafts. She was always designing, decorating or planning the next creative project. Their home was always as beautiful as her heart. Her smile would light up a room and her laugh was contagious. Janie is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mae Darnell; her father-in-law, Joel Franklin Mathis; and brother-in-law, John Gordon West. Janie is survived by her husband, James F. "Jim" Mathis; her son, Brian Franklin Mathis; her daughter, Jolie Mathis Sims; her son-in-law, Keith B. Sims; her grandchildren, Elizabeth and James Sims; her sister, Mary Kathryn West; mother-in-law, Josephine Mathis; and a beautiful extended family of sisters-in-law, the "outlaws" club of brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; her dearest friend and first cousin, Martha Swaim; and other extended family and dear friends. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 2 p.m. It will be held at Celebration Church, 5560 Thompson Mill Road, Hoschton, GA 30548, with a celebration of life immediately following in the food court. A private inurnment will be held at a later time at Memorial Park South Cemetery in Flowery Branch. The family requests any donations that may be desired to be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree St. NE, 6th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-872-7100, www.arthritis.org. The family wishes to extend sincerest thanks to their Celebration Church family, Northeast Georgia Hospice, and the many friends, family and neighbors, especially those in Sterling on the Lake, that have been such a tremendous support. Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 is in charge of arrangements. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.