Dr. James T Matheny

James Thad Matheny was born on December 14, 1923 to the Reverend and Mrs. O.B. Matheny at Vimville, Mississippi. He attended Carmichael Schools, University of Southern Mississippi, The Citadel, Vanderbilt University, and received his MD degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1949. He served a rotating internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and served four years as a practitioner in New Albany and Louisville, Mississippi. Being called to serve in the United States Navy in 1954, he was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola for 2 years. A residency in Pediatrics was completed in 1958 at the University of Mississippi in Jackson. Dr. Matheny moved to Rome in 1958 and partnered with Dr. Harlan M. Starr for the next 27 years before retiring in 1985.

Being an avid sailor, Dr. Matheny belonged to the Rome Sailing Club at Weiss Lake. He was also chairman of the Floyd County District of the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Floyd- Polk County Medical Society and member of the staff of Floyd Medical Center.

He assisted in organizing the Rome Area Writers and worked with the group in the publication of “Selected Stories by Roger Aycock” . A collection of 31 short stories was written by Bill Barker and Dr. Matheny called “Splashes From The Past”. He also contributed several short stories to “The Lavender Mountain Anthology” which is published annually by the Rome Area Writers. He enjoyed listening to good music and was a member of the Rome Music Lovers Club. He was also a member of the Adult Fellowship Class at First United Methodist Church for 52 years. Dr. Matheny was preceded in death by his wife of 56 wonderful years, Virginia Belle Green Matheny February 19, 2005 and by a brother Reverend Robert M. Matheny and sisters Erin Graham Lewis, Cora Virginia Fairley, and Mary Lorene Finch.

Survivors include three children Virginia Anne Matheny of Sharpsburg, GA; Mrs. Philip Patterson (Mary) and David Birch Matheny both of Rome; Seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial services will be conducted at 1 PM Saturday, December 4, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Jane Newman Brooks officiating. The family will receive friends in the Wilder Center at First United Methodist Church Saturday from 11:30 until 12:45 PM. Honorary pallbearers will be member of the Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class. Private interment services were conducted earlier this week at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens with Reverend Larry Caywood officiating.

Those who wish to do so make a donation to the First United Methodist Church or to the Heyman Hospice. The family wishes to give special thanks to Amanda McBurnett and the staff of Heyman Hospice for their care and devotion to Dr. Matheny.

Daniel’s Funeral Home is serving the family of Dr. James Thad Matheny.