Anna Lillian Mattox Ware

Mom was born in Lake Butler, FL, lived in Richmond, VA a few years and lived the majority of her life in Jacksonville, FL.

She was predeceased by her mother Lema Leah Day; her father Bascom Miller Mattox; sister Mary Elizabeth Powell (Frank); her husband of 63 years, Raymond Allen Ware, Sr.; and grandchild, Patrick Daniel.

Mom is survived by her 5 sons; Raymond Allen Ware, Jr. (Sharron), William Harris Ware, (Genny), David Lawrence Ware (Susan), Brian Edward Ware (Laurie), Daniel Day Ware; 7 grandchildren: Jason, Amelia, John, Sarah, Chad, Matthew and Rachel; 2 great-grandchildren and Brandon and Ashley; also 1 great-great-grandchild Anna.

Her favorite color was pink and her favorite Bible verses were Isaiah 26:3, Proverbs 3: 5-7, Proverbs 22:6 and John 3:16.

Mom was a true Proverbs 31 woman who always tried to meet the needs of her family and others before her own. She sang in the choir most of her life and she shared her love for music with her sons. Mom was a great cook and also made our costumes for Halloween and school plays. She set aside her dream to become a registered nurse to marry and have a family.

When her youngest son was of school age, she began pursuing her dream of being a nurse again and enrolled in college at age 50, earning her nursing degree. She began her nursing career at St. Vincent’s Hospital and worked her way up to the position of Head Nurse of Pediatrics before retiring.

Though she had a full and busy life, she always found time to teach Sunday school and encourage young women to pursue their dreams. She showed them by her own life as an example that Jesus must be their Lord and Savior and the focal point of their lives.

Mom gave her sons many gifts throughout our lifetimes but the greatest gift she ever gave us was the gift of introducing us to Jesus Christ and sharing how he offers us Eternal life with Him in Heaven.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

She will be sorely missed but we know that we will all be together again in Heaven.

John 14:1-3

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205 is serving the family. Please leave words of comfort and condolences for the family on our online guest register at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com