TIFTON — Mrs. Sara Tollette Matkowsky, 84, of Americus, died Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at Maple Court Senior Care center in Tifton.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Dec. 1 at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Sommer Bower officiating. Burial followed at Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family received friends between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St.

Mrs. Matkowsky was born on Oct. 8, 1932, in Pikeville, Tennessee, to the late William and Mamie Claire Tollette.

Mrs. Matkowsky began her education at Tennessee Wesleyan College and received her registered nurse diploma at the Erlanger Baroness School of Nursing in 1954. She began her career at Erlanger Baroness Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She moved with her family in 1960 to Americus, Georgia, where she served as a nurse at Sumter Regional Hospital prior to joining the teaching staff at South Georgia Technical College where she taught nursing for many years. Mrs. Matkowsky was a passionate educator committed to supporting students in their endeavor to become licensed practical nurses.

Mrs. Matkowsky was a devout Christian and member of First Presbyterian Church. Undoubtedly, she committed her life to serving Christ as evidenced through her active involvement in various capacities at her church. Mrs. Matkowsky brought joy and energy to both the communion and counting committees. She was faithful to lead as an elder of the church. She actively participated in Elegant Elders and enjoyed their many adventures. Finally, she dedicated herself to the First Presbyterian Women’s Circle serving as director for many years.

Mrs. Matkowsky loved her family. She spent countless hours caring for her grandchildren and relished in the joy of holding her great-grandchildren. Mrs. Matkowsky will be remembered fondly by so many as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, nurse, and friend. She loved her friends and family dearly and enjoyed going to lunch with her ‘lunch bunch”. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Joseph “Jack” Matkowsky, who passed away in 2011. She is survived by her daughter, Tina (Gary) Baxter of Tifton, Georgia; her son, Britt Matkowsky of Tifton, Georgia; and her daughter, Angela (George) Sims of Americus, Georgia. “Nana” loved her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. She is also survived her sister, Frances Cannon of Nashville, Tennessee; her nieces Beeky (William) Simmons and Avis Crews of Pikeville, Tennessee; and her nephew Chris (Cindy) Cannon of Nashville, Tennessee.

Pallbearers were Adam Layfield, Matthew Baxter, Gant Graves, Luke Gordon, Donnie English, and Britt Matkowsky.

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mrs. Sara Tollette Matkowsky.