Joy Shelton Matthews

Joy Shelton Matthews, 83, of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on April 13, 2018. She was born in Valdosta, Georgia on August 26, 1934 to the late Eula Davis Shelton and George Lang Shelton. Joy graduated from Valdosta High School and received her bachelor’s degree in education from Tift College in 1955. She married James Hampton Matthews, Jr. of Pavo, Georgia in 1961. The two raised their family in Moultrie, Georgia where Joy was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church as well as a tireless volunteer and leader of many service organizations. Joy was a truly joyful, intelligent person who loved classical music, movies, mysteries, reading and anything to do with her family and their interests. Joy is survived by her husband of 57 years; her son James Hampton Matthews, III and wife Millie; her daughter Ellen Matthews Hill and husband Rob; her daughter Anne Matthews Presley and husband Mike; her seven grandchildren; Jim, Will (wife Kara), and Becky Matthews; Robert and Davis Hill; and Meg and Sarah Presley. She is also survived by three sisters-in-law; Anita Howell Shelton, Joy Matthews McKnight and Kay Matthews O’Connor, and nine nieces and nephews that she loved. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers George Lang Shelton, Jr. and Thomas Davis Shelton, her sister in law, Jane Twitty Shelton and her oldest niece, Becky Shelton Allen. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Wilson Chapel of Peachtree Presbyterian Church followed by a reception in The Williams Center. In addition, a graveside service will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta, Georgia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials can be made to American Heart Association/American Stroke Association 10 Glenlake Pkwy NE, South Tower Ste 400, Atlanta, GA 30328 and Halcyon Hospice Care, 5411 Northland Dr., Atlanta, GA 30342