Mattie Lou Powell Parker, 83, passed peacefully Monday, December 16, 2024, in her home surrounded by her family.

Born May 20, 1941 in Saluda, SC, Mattie was the wife of Raymond Billy Parker, Retired Edgefield County Sheriff, who passed in March.

A graduate of Saluda High School, Mattie also attended Aiken Technical College and USC-Aiken.

She was a member of Johnston First Baptist Church where she and her daughter were Baptized at the same time.

Mattie's first job was as a Car Hop in Johnston, where she met the love of her life. Billy and Mattie were married 65 years. She was a devoted Navy, Firefighter, and Law Enforcement wife.

Mattie was employed as a bookkeeper with Riegel Textile, the South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole in Edgefield and Aiken counties, and retired as bookkeeper from Henderson Trucking and Distribution. She was proud of her work ethic, and was well-respected and praised for her endless dedication to every task she undertook.

Mattie embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for her entire family and countless others. Known as Nannie or Momma Mattie she accepted everyone with an open heart, open arms, and a perpetual smile. One could never give an accurate count of how many "children" and "grandchildren" she truly had.

Mattie was an incredibly gifted artist, crafter, gardener and cook. Many of her paintings and creations adorn the walls and shelves of her home and the homes of her children.

She will be remembered for all the heart she shared with her friends and family. She truly loved each of them - and if you knew her, you knew it.

Mattie was predeceased by her parents, John Rhett and Alma Storey Powell; father-and-mother-in-law, Raymond W. and Beulah Richardson Parker; a sister they adopted, Jewel Powell Wood; brothers, Albert, John and Dwight Powell; a sister-in-law, Mildred Parker Averill; and precious fur babies, Mitzi and Dixie Parker.

She is survived by a daughter, Karen Parker (Paul) Anderson; a son, Raymond Billy "Ray" (Paula Villemain) Parker Jr.; grandchildren, Parker (Missy) Anderson, Krista Parker (Robby) Graham, Michael (Jessica) Wood, Amy Miller Wood, Mechelle Wood Dixon, and Carolyn (Rich) Holmes; great-grandchildren, Colton and Clayton Graham, Teagan and Levi Robbins, Shannon, Audrey, Lila, Trinity and Waylon Wood, Dakota and T.J. Romero, Kaylee Carrol, and great-grandson Anderson due in February.

She is also survived by a special sister, Gwyn (Alfred) Rodgers; a brother, Duane (Judy) Powell; a brother-in-law, Mike Wood; a special "son", Freddie Howard; devoted friends, Melanie Rosier and Paulette Morphy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

To Ralph and Jasmine with Trinity Hospice, and Gennie Miles, thank you for your compassion and expertise during the time of our mother's declining health. Your care made a difficult time much easier to bear.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Mercantile Funeral Home Johnston Chapel with visitation being from 2:00pm-3:00pm before the service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home. Please share a memory or photo at edgefieldmercantilefh.com.