Ginger was born on February 17, 1944, in Montgomery, Alabama to Nan and Leo Sanford. Her childhood was full of adventures and the surrounding love of her extended family, who all took part in creating her world. Her fondest memories were at her grandparents' dairy and the deli run by her parents.
In 1962, she married her sweetheart Routon Mathis at 2 am in the living room of a local pastor. The couple celebrated with a sack of Krystal burgers–a memory they honored throughout their marriage. From there they moved to Atlanta where they started their family.
Ginger was a passionate family historian and was happiest sharing memories and telling stories with her loved ones, collecting shells across the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, reading, and eating oysters. Ginger’s greatest talent was her ability to see the good in people and show loving kindness to all, which she demonstrated in the extra plates she set at the table for friends of her children and family or any stranger she struck a conversation with (though, she rarely met a stranger).
She was preceded in death by her husband, Routon Mathis; sister Mary Alice “Tuni” Bradley; mother Nan Howard Gibson; and father Leo Sanford.
Ginger is survived by her four children Patrick Mathis of Corry, PA, Kecia Rey (Trent) of Daviston, AL, Sean Mathis (Gisla) of Youngstown, OH, and Jennifer Massengale (Russ) of Hixon, TN; three grandchildren Victoria Rey (Brian Yontz) of Brooklyn, NY, Tucker Rey (Alexis) of Carrollton, GA, and Alana Graham of Youngstown, OH; and two great-grandchildren Penelope and Brooks Rey of Carrollton, GA.
Ginger will be laid to rest eternally at 1:00 PM, Thursday, November 5, in Manchester City Cemetery, Manchester, Georgia at a graveside service.
The family requests memorials be made to The Hamilton County Humane Educational Society at heschatt.org
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
