Mrs. Matlyne Whiteheart Southern

Matlyne Clara Whiteheart Southern died February 28, 2013. She was born in Burlington, NC in 1918 to Lois Mattie Hauser Whiteheart and Cicero Harrison Whiteheart. She and her family traveled by train to Winston Salem when she was five days old and she resided in this area all of her life. She was the oldest daughter of 10 children and demonstrated a sincere and genuine concern for her siblings from childhood through their adult life. This deep and abiding care for family was reflected in the love she displayed for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, delighting in the largest accomplishments and smallest details of their lives to the very end of her life. She attended Mineral Springs High School and was in the first class of the newly established Piedmont Bible College. She met her husband, Robert Morris Southern when he came to visit his cousin, who lived three houses down from her. She faithfully wrote him each day while he was fighting in The Pacific Theater during WWII. She married Morris September 7, 1946 and he remained the love of her life, even after his death. She worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company until she started her family, and then became a substitute teacher for Winston Salem Forsyth County School System. She was talented in music and played both the piano and organ. She displayed an exceptional aptitude for color and composition which was manifest in the many beautiful hooked rugs and murals she fashioned. Her artistic gift extended to the design and cultivation of beautiful flower gardens which were highly acclaimed by all. She was a member of the Winston Salem Rug Hooking Guild, the Thursday Morning Music Club and Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Gospel Chapels for many years. After her husband’s death she moved to Pfafftown Town and became a member of Vienna Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Southern, her sister, Elnora W. Wagoner, four brothers, John H. “Dick” Whiteheart, Grady Claude Whiteheart, Harrison C. Whiteheart and Robert Sidney Whiteheart.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Southern Ireland, and son in law Hayden C. Ireland, Jr., grandchildren, Robert A. Lakey (Portia), Tiffany L. Thomas (Walter) both of Winston Salem, NC. Great grandchildren, Katelyn, Matlyne, and Clara Lakey, Tyler, and Nathaniel Thomas. Her grandchildren from the blended family of Hayden and Sharon are Hayden C. Ireland III, (Kim), of Greensboro, NC and Elizabeth Ireland Bothwell (Todd) of Kansas City, KS. Great grandchildren are Hayden C. Ireland IV, Colby and Laura Kate Ireland, Dillon and Annie Jude Bothwell. Surviving siblings are sisters Elsie W. Davis, Ardena W. “Duckie” Mayberry, brothers Ray E. Whiteheart and Ivan W. Whiteheart all of Winston Salem, NC. Many beloved nieces and nephews

Special thanks to Joan E. Southern, Matlyne’s niece and day sitter who gave her love and companionship. The compassion and care provided by Dr. Kathryn Callahan and the Geriatric Clinic at the Sticht Center at Baptist Hospital were key factors in the maintenance of the quality of life for Matlyne and her family during the final years of her life. The nursing and administrative staff at Kerner Ridge Assisted Living, where she lived for the past 2 ½ years, became her second family. She loved her second family as she did her first and her life was enriched by their care. Matlyne’s family cannot fully express our gratitude to the doctors, nurses and sitters of Palliative Care at Baptist Hospital who stood with us in the in the final hours of her life. The medical professionals, including Dr. Corbett and NP Pat Deskin made this very difficult time tolerable.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 4, 2012, 2:00 pm, at Vogler and Sons Reynolda Chapel. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 3, 2013, 6:00-8:00 pm, at Vogler and Sons Reynolda Chapel. Interment will follow funeral service at Salem Cemetery.

Online condolences to www.frankvoglerandsons.com