Sara L. Lee Mattingly

In her 95 years, she went by many names – her maiden name Sara Lee, Mrs. E.H. Mattingly Sr., “Bright Eyes” to her husband Ed, Mom to her six children, and Joe to her 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. But whatever we called her, she was a guiding spirit to us all and absolutely steadfast in her love for and devotion to her family, to her community and to God.

Sara Lee Mattingly passed away on Oct. 19 after suffering a stroke in early August. She was the eldest child of Dr. George A. and Mrs. Bernice Lee of Live Oak, Florida, who bequeathed her their longevity, having both lived into their 90’s. They also passed on to her great beauty, a sense of grace, impeccable style and a deep appreciation for learning. With her small-town Southern upbringing, Sara was a true "Steel Magnolia" who never gave up on life, was fiercely loyal to her family and taught us to always support each other. She did it in her warm, gentle way, though she didn’t refrain from direct remarks -- and had no patience for talking on the telephone.

After graduating at the top of her class at Suwannee High, she went on to Agnes Scott College, and soon adjusted to Atlanta’s big-city life. It wasn’t long before she met a Georgia Tech student named Ed Mattingly at a mixer, and a courtship soon followed. After she was named “Most Beautiful” on campus by a noted Hollywood producer/director named Adrian, Ed sent her a telegram saying “Adrian and I agree.”

A wonderful marriage of more than 60 years followed. After seeing the Spencer Tracy movie “A Guy Named Joe,” somewhat inexplicably, Ed gave Sara the nickname “Joe,” and it stuck. Sara supported Ed in early business ventures and most notably in his successful career with The Guardian Life Insurance Company. They were longtime members and supporters of the Cathedral of Christ the King, where Sara dutifully served in the St. Gerard’s Circle. She volunteered for the Atlanta Symphony and collected and sold fine antiques. They reared their six children and provided a loving home life in Buckhead. In the early ‘60’s, they meticulously planned and constructed a Deerfield, Massachusetts-styled house where Sara resided until she died, steadfastly refusing to live elsewhere, which was her right and evidence of her fearless character. She showed great strength and dignity after losing her husband in 2003 and her son Edward Jr. in 2007.

With Ed, Sara unselfishly hosted renowned Christmas “Egg Nog” parties – for her children’s friends, not her own – for more than 45 years. Sara also demonstrated strong affection for far-flung overseas travel, annual Sea Island vacations and Labor Day weekend reunions in the North Carolina and Georgia mountains. Sara was a voracious reader. A devotee of the Great Books Society, she loved writing and encouraged and nurtured its pursuit among her children. She admired John Le Carre spy books and reveled in the author’s obtuse prose, evidence of her keen and perceptive intellect. Unquestionably, her love of writing resulted in her children’s professional and avocational literary pursuits.

For all she was able to do and see in a very full life, we probably best remember Sara as a kind and gracious listener – a supportive, loyal and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

The family wishes to thank all who have helped Sara in her last years and months, particularly her son-in-law Dr. Houston Payne; Wanga Jonas, her longtime caregiver; and her nurses, most notably Rosemarie Lynaugh.

Sara Lee Mattingly was born in Live Oak, Florida on March 21, 1919. She was predeceased by her parents George and Bernice Lee, sister Bernice Williams, brother John Lee, husband Edward and son Edward Jr. She is survived by her children Sara Muir (Tony), George (Connie), John, and Thomas (Linda) Mattingly, and Martha (Houston) Payne; daughter-in-law Mitzie Mattingly; grandchildren Edward (Kelly), George Jr. (Mandy), Matthew, Katherine Elise, Laura Lee, Benjamin and Casey Mattingly, Michelle (Bill) Sturm, Ned (Melissa) and Sara Muir, Liz (Kyle) China, and Sam, Matt, Emma and Ian Payne; and great-grandchildren Hagen, Clay, Eli, Ethan and Owen Mattingly, Marie, Willie and Ione Sturm, Ella and Katie Muir, Connor Povensky, Mattie and Sophie China; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at the Cathedral of Christ the King at 10 o’clock on Friday, Oct. 24, with a reception to follow in Kenny Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shepherd Spinal Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30309 or Habitat for Humanity, 824 Memorial Drive, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30316.