Mary Kristine Mathews

Mary Reist Mathews, born December 8th, 1951 (74), passed away at her home in Fayetteville, NC on February 22nd. Mary was born at Carson City Hospital, raised near North Star, Michigan, graduated from Ithaca High School and attended Michigan State University. Mary joined the Army after college and moved to North Carolina where she became a paratrooper with the 18th Airborne Core. After completing her military service, she joined the civil service, working at USASOC-DCSLOG until her retirement. Mary was also a business owner, running M & M Leather and Custom Cycle with her husband Bill for more than 20 years.

Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sibling, and friend. She had a lifelong love of cats, fostering and providing a loving home to many throughout her life. She was also very active with Trinity Lighthouse Church as their treasurer and running the food pantry. When not working at the church, you could find Mary calling bingo at Carillon Assisted Living, participating in water aerobics or Zumba at The Spa, attending events with the Red Hat Society, traveling, or outside working in her yard and small garden.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 30 years, Bill Mathews. She leaves behind her children, Brian Shaw and wife Amanda; Kristina Addis and husband Travis, and grandchildren Nick Shaw and Adora Welsh. Mary leaves behind siblings Karen Reist Craig, Jeff Reist, Janet Reist, Ann Reist Boone, and Robin Reist Strnad (Dan).

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 1st at 11am at Trinity Lighthouse Church, 6974 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC. There will also be a visitation/viewing at 10am prior to the service. 

Mary will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with Bill at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the animal foster organization of your choice, like Alleycat.org, or Trinity Lighthouse Church.

Services are entrusted to LaFayette Funeral Home, 6651 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304. On-line condolences may be made at www.lafayettefh.com.