Ellen "Jit" Yvonne Mathews

Mrs. Ellen Yvonne Mathews of Bell, FL better known as Ms. Jit passed away on Tuesday, May 22 at 2:40am while at Haven Hospice in Lake City, FL, she was 78. Ms. Jit had retired as a teacher from Bell Middle High School. She had been many things, mother, homemaker, farmer, VBS and Sunday school teacher, a substitute, and an inspiration. In her 40s, Ms. Jit returned to college to complete her Bachelor’s degree. After obtaining her English degree at the University of Florida, Ms. Jit spent 17 years sharing her love of writing and poetry with middle school students at Bell - including receiving a commendation from the governor for her class’ scores on the state writing test. One of her former students said it best, “she kept us in check without crushing our spirits.” Ms. Jit related well to all her students and many have contacted her family to mourn her passing. Ms. Jit was involved in many ways in her community. She served as a Booster Club member for Bell High School, on the PTA, on several Church committees at Priscilla Baptist including the Pillars after her retirement. Ms. Jit enjoyed scrapbooking, crafts and travelling. She’d been as far as Taipei, Taiwan but most often enjoyed jaunts to the mountains with family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband and former Gilchrist County School Board Member, Elvin Lee Mathews of Bell and her son, Elvin Tyrone “Sam” Mathews of Bell. She is survived by her three daughters; Tawnya (Kimmy) Jenkins, Terry (Rick) Carnley and Tiffany (Tim) Liles, her seven grandchildren; Shannon, Jarod, Tamara, Ashton, Terek, Samantha and Taria as well as her four great-grandchildren; Marisa, Corbin, Zane and Maci. We celebrate the life of this wonderful woman who touched many lives with her sense of humor and strong will. The family appreciates all the outpouring of love and empathy and know that Jit is watching over all of us now from Heaven. Thank you for all that you have done for us in this time of mourning. A special thank you to Bro. Paul Watson, Watson Funeral Homes, Priscilla Baptist Church, and her Pall Bearers; Jason Johnson, Jarod Carnley, Channing Daniels, Garrett Floyd, Jacob Floyd, and Terek Liles for making sure her service went smoothly. Thank you, Joy Powell, and others for lending your talents and Ashton and Samantha Mathews for the slide show. Thank you to Marty’s Design and Marty and George Langford for the Floral Arrangements. Funeral Services for Mrs. Mathews will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, May 25, 2018 at Priscilla Baptist Church with Brother Paul Watson officiating. Interment to follow at Priscilla Baptist Church Cemetery.