Mazel Pearl Mathis

Mazel Pearl Mathis, 75, of Woodbury passed away on July 25, 2026. She was born on April 21, 1951, in Woodbury, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her father, Sam Vinson Mathis, mother and stepfather, Nannie Bell Stanley Mears and John Mears, a brother, Charlie B. Mathis, nieces and nephew, Angel Ferrell, Tammy Mathis, and Timmy Mathis.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Mathis, nephews, Johnny Mathis and Dustin Mathis, caregiver, Betty Sanders, and other extended family and friends.

Mazel was born with a gentle spirit and sweet personality. She was also born with some lifelong challenges ahead. Shortly after she was born the family came to the realization that she carried some learning disabilities. Assistance with these issues was limited during that time. They did discover a school in Smithville was available to guide and teach her as much as possible. While she attended school, they made a point to encourage the students to participate in the Special Olympics. Mazel was able to compete in a variety of events. It gave all of them an opportunity to have fun and enjoy the chance to be with other Olympians competing. They were thrilled to be cheered on by the spectators.

Growing up, her family had an allotment to be able to grow tobacco. Tobacco farming was an extremely labor-intensive process. It meant months of back breaking, hot, sweaty work. Planting, cultivating, harvesting, and curing the leaves allowing them to be graded to determine how much they could be sold for. Even though the work wasn’t easy, Mazel loved working side by side with her family. That time together meant the world to her. She didn’t shy away from hard work, quite the opposite. Besides working in the tobacco field, she found work at a local tree nursery. Being outdoors always made her feel good. The sunshine and fresh air allowed her to be close to God’s creation. She was able to help care for some of His plants.

As a young girl, maybe about four years old, her father gave her a doll. The doll became a treasured item, connecting her to him. For more than 70 years she kept her little doll safe and secure. Having it allowed her to have a measure of comfort. That doll spurred her to begin collecting other dolls. Which must have also led to her love of searching the flea market for new finds. One of her other favorite places to shop was the Watertown Mile Long Yard Sale each year. She looked forward to those treasure hunts, searching for the next gem in her collection. When she worked up an appetite one of her favorite foods was fried chicken. If she had a choice of where to eat fried chicken, it would definitely be Kentucky Fried Chicken. That way she could get all the fixings with it.

Mazel was a creature of habit in many regards. Wherever she was each day when the Smithville radio news came on, she was tuned in to hear the latest updates. She wasn’t going to miss the broadcast for the morning and evening reports. Early on her parents wanted her to learn about God and made a point to take her to church. Over the years she attended the church of Christ. Having that foundation allowed her to face the challenges through the valleys and carried her to the mountain tops. Life was never easy for her, but God knew her heart and He placed people in her path to help encourage and support her through the hardest times. Her gentle and sweet spirit also allowed God’s light to shine through her to others.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 10-3 pm. Funeral services will follow in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Tim Gentry will officiate. Interment will be in Center Hill Cemetery. Share condolences and memories at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN, 37190, 6156-563-5337. Because every life has a story.