Sallie Harris Mathis, age 71, of Marianna, FL, passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at her home while surrounded by her loving family.
Sallie was born Sarah “Sallie” Baker Harris on June 3, 1952 to the late Frank “Archie” and Sarah Bruce Harris. Her maternal grandparents were the late Roy Porter Singletary and Mary Bruce Milton Singletary. Her paternal grandparents were the late J. Floyd and Hazel Scott Harris.
Sallie attended Riverside Elementary and graduated from Marianna High School in 1970. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and later, Troy University with a master’s degree in education.
Sallie began her career at Riverside Elementary teaching special education, a few years later, she moved to Golson Elementary to teach first grade. After 38 years as an educator, she retired in 2014 as Teacher of the Year. She made an impact on many young lives in our community. She was beloved as a teacher, mentor and friend that made a tremendous impact to many in the Jackson County.
Sallie was a lifelong member of St. Anne Catholic Church and a devout Catholic. She served on the church council and volunteered her time in the thrift shop every week after her retirement.
She is survived by her husband, Daryl Mathis; her daughters, Jessica Smith Pinsky (Richard) and Sarah Smith Manzano (Jesse); her grandchildren, Ella Pinsky, Eva Manzano and Enzo Manzano; her siblings, Fran Taylor (Chad), Scott Harris (Ginger) and Mary Bruce Hamilton (Tommy); her nieces and nephews, Coakley Taylor, Morgan Patel (Ravi), Amory Craig (Will) and Dustin Dryden; her great-aunt, Jean Williams Harris and cousins, Randy Sims (Sandy), Susie Finlayson (Jimmy), Marsha Anderson (David) and Renea Hilton (David); her brother-in-law, Curtis Hyers; nephew, Ronnie Mathis (Deborah) and great nieces, Sarah Mayo (Lucas) and Maggie Cox (Jeremy).
Funeral mass will be 10 A.M. Saturday, August 12, 2023 at St. Anne Catholic Church with Father Philip Fortin, Father Paul Stewart and Reverend Dr. Nathan Attwood officiating. Interment will follow the service in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Cemetery with Marianna Chapel Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday, August 11, 2023 at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.
Those serving as pallbearers will be: David Anderson, Greg Bess, Steve Couturier, David Hilton, Ronnie Mathis and Bruce McMullian.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church in memory of Sallie Mathis, 3095 Fifth Street, Marianna, FL 32446.
Condolences may be made online at www.mariannachapelfh.com
