Mrs. Weta Janette Mathews Fales, 87
Mrs. Weta Janette Mathews Fales, 87, of Hazlehurst, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away New Year’s Day 2020 in the comfort of her home surrounded by three generations of family. Weta was the youngest of nine children, born Aug. 18, 1932, in Atkinson County to the late Charlie Eugene Mathews and the late Tessie Weatherford Mathews.
The daughter of a hard-working farming family, she never shrank from her chores of building fires, milking cows, chopping cotton, or helping her mama in the kitchen. She cared for both parents through their terminal illnesses as a teenager while continuing to captain her varsity basketball team at Coffee County High.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, the Rev. William Daniel “Bill” Fales. Always an uncanny judge of character, she announced after their first date, “If he asks me to marry him, I’m going to say yes!”
Together they founded Fales Furniture Company and moved it to Hazlehurst in 1963. Through the decades, they have served families through the third and fourth generation and were always grateful for the loyalty of their long-time customers. She and “Brother Bill” also selflessly served numerous churches in the Jeff Davis County area. As a pastor and pastor’s wife, Billy and Weta used every opportunity to demonstrate God’s love to others.
Weta leaves this world in the keeping of those who carry on her love of family and legacy of Christian faith; daughters, Deborah Harrison and husband, Calvin Harrison of Hazlehurst and Kathy Hammock and husband Randall Hammock of Forsyth; grandchildren, Cole Harrison, Vince Harrison, Garrett Harrison, Augusta Hammock, and Tess Hammock; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and Celebration of Life were held Jan. 4 in the chapel of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Gale and the Rev. Robert Wigley officiating. The celebration concluded with graveside service in Hazlehurst City Cemetery.
As much as she loved flowers, Weta would much rather you use the money to improve the lives of people in need. She was always moved by the plight of truly poor people and was an example to her children and grandchildren of caring for the unseen and underserved. She would be honored if you would remember her by giving generously to “Unto the Least of His” ministry.
Donations can be made online at http://www.totheleast.com/wordpress/donate/
Or mail to: Unto the Least of His, P.O. Box 15874, 5613 LaRoche Ave., Savannah, GA 31406
“Weezie,” as she was fondly called by family, rang out the old year here with us and rang in the New Year in a glorious place. It is her fondest hope that you will follow her through faith in Christ.
