Melanie Nelson Matthews

March 24, 1948 - August 4, 2015

Melanie Nelson Matthews, age 67, died on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at her residence. Melanie was born in Corinth, MS on March 24, 1948, the daughter of the late Travis Marcel and Addie Fae Byrum Nelson. She was a graduate of the American High School in Augsburg, Germany, and later received her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from the University of Mississippi, and her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee for Health Sciences in Memphis. Melanie was employed with Union University from 1976 through 2010, where she taught nursing retiring as an Associate Professor. She was a member of the professional nursing sorority Sigma Theta Tau. She held a love for needlework and was a member of the Peace by Piece Quilt Guild, a knitting group, and a cross stitch group. Melanie volunteered with RIFA providing cornbread muffins weekly. She was lovingly known as the “Cornbread Lady.” She is survived by her husband Bennie Wilson Matthews, Jr of Jackson, TN; her two children, Benjamin Ryan Matthews and wife Jessica of Friendship, TN and Emily Suzanne Matthews Wan and husband Gabriel of Seattle, WA; a brother Travis Marcel Nelson, Jr and wife Joyce and two grandchildren Addison and Lia Matthews. SERVICES: A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Northside United Methodist Church. The family will be receiving friends from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM, prior to the service at the church. The family is requesting that the knitting, Cross Stitch, and Quilting groups sit together for the service. The family is requesting memorial contributions be directed to RIFA, 219 N. Highland Ave., Jackson, TN 38301. Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, 731/668-1111 www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com