Mattie Hilton

Mattie Emma Whitlock Hilton earned her angel wings a long time ago, but at the age of 99 she finally collected them. On January 18, surrounded by her family’s love she left this world to join the big Canasta game in the sky. 

Mattie was born on January 10, 1922 to Charles and Lila Whitlock in Edgefield, South Carolina. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, Mattie moved to Rome, GA to attend Berry College with her sister Anna. She earned a degree in Home Economics with minors in both Biology and English. She later attended Georgia Southern College to earn her Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling. She began working as a Home Demonstration Agent in Appling County where she met the love of her life, her husband of forty-two years, Forcial. The two were married and had one child, their daughter, Marianna. Mattie continued her career in the field of education where she taught 8th grade English and later became a guidance counselor. She worked in this field for over forty years before retiring and committing herself full time to community organizations in her beloved Baxley, GA. Mattie was a loved member of the Baxley First United Methodist Church where she took part in Young at Heart and United Methodist Women. For years, she was an active member in the Appling County Retired Educators Association, Pine Forest Garden Club and Hospital Auxiliary. One of Mattie’s favorite hobbies was her weekly card games where she competitively played Canasta while solving the world’s problems with some of her closest friends.

Mattie is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lila Whitlock; her sister Anna Carr and her husband, Forcial A. Hilton.

She is survived by her only daughter, Marianna Cooper (Barry) of Brunswick, GA; granddaughter Jamie Chance (Jonathan) of Atlanta, GA; grandsons Marc Cooper (Tammy) of Brunswick, GA and Caleb Cooper of Cave Junction, OR; great-grandson Silas Chance; Niece, Judith Summerford of Birmingham, AL and great-nieces, Alli Summerford of Birmingham, AL and Farrah Summerford of Los Angeles, CA; great nephews, Gram and Wyeth; great niece Oona; devoted caretakers (adopted daughters) Geneva Sumner and Yasmine Flores: and her loving cat, Midnight.

A graveside service to celebrate her amazing life will be held at Omega Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church of Baxley (217 S. Main St. Baxley, GA 31513) or Appling County Retired Educators Association (180 Crowder St. Baxley, GA 31513).

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

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