Cecille Mathews was born on December 14, 1946, in Savannah where she grew up.  She loved spending summers at Tybee.  Ms. Mathews graduated from Savannah High School in 1964; from Armstrong College of Savannah; and from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1971.   She enjoyed painting and other artistic endeavors all her life. She resided in Atlanta for more than 30 years and passed away on February 16, 2023, at Sacred Journey Hospice in Newnan, Ga.

She had several jobs in the Fashion Industry where she received many letters of appreciation.  Later, after becoming interested in law enforcement, she worked as a police officer in Fairburn and Decatur.  She then served until retirement in 2014 as a Deputy Marshal at the DeKalb County Marshal's Office.  After retirement, she worked as a volunteer in the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.  During most of her law enforcement career, she also worked many "off duty" jobs serving as private security including for her church family at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker until she became ill in January of this year.

Ms. Mathews was preceded in death by her mother, Verna Smith Mathews; her father, Roy Mathews; and her brothers, John Smith and Cecil Smith.  She is survived by her nieces; Robin (Oliver) Boone, Jody (David) Waites; nephew Tim Smith; cousins: Janie Donaldson, Evelyn Smith, Maurene (Kenneth) Tapley, and Judy Hawkins Crosby.   Ms. Mathews leaves behind her beloved dog and best friend Eli.

In lieu of Flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker, Ga., or the local Humane Society.

The graveside funeral and burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens located at 315 Greenwich Road in Savannah, GA.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes - WEST CHATHAM CHAPEL - 901 West Highway 80 - Pooler, GA (912) 748-2444