Mattie Blanche Williams Gregory

Mattie Blanche Williams Gregory

March 17, 1939- March 11, 2026

Mattie passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Mattie was a dear, kind and generous person, She helped people in her community and family at every opportunity. She enjoyed teaching, camping, and her church community. Mattie loved spending time gardening and sharing the things she grew with neighbors and friends. Most of all she loved her family, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and a beautiful great-granddaughter named after her. Mattie valued the people in her life and the time they spent together.

Mattie was born in Dunn NC, the daughter of Michael and Leola Williams, she was one of ten children. Mattie graduated from Dunn High School, Sacred Heart College and Campbell University, with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She went on to become a teacher in Wake County and taught 26 years at Lincoln Heights Elementary and Vance Elementary. She retired in 2000 to spend time with her husband Sidney Earl Gregory who preceded her in death on March 29, 2007. She was a loving wife and mother, who planned many family celebrations and family vacations at Kerr Lake and Emerald Isle. Mattie created the fabric that held the family together. She lost her parents Michael and Leola, sisters Sue, Mary, Anne, Lucy, Sally, Frances and her brothers John and Martin. She spent the last few years with her brother Mike and friend Debbie, playing dominoes and reminiscing about a life well lived.

Mattie leaves behind a daughter Susan Strickland, her husband Jimmy Strickland, son Sidney Gregory and his wife Jennifer Gregory and son Stephen Gregory. Grandchildren Cameron Strickland and wife Ilsa, Aaron Strickland and wife Jessica, Austin Gregory, Ashley Jones, her husband William, and great-granddaughter Mattie Jones, along with her wonderful big brother, Mike and cherished nephew Charles Sherrill and his wife Leanne.

Mattie's family wishes to extend their gratitude to friends and neighbors for their kindness, to Hospice of Johnson County along with the staff at Liberty Commons Rehab and Nursing Home in Benson, NC for their loving and gentle care of Mattie in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Parish in Garner, NC or to O'Berry Neuro Medical Treatment Center (PO Box, 1157 Goldsboro NC 27533)

A time of visitation will be held at Bryan-Lee Funeral home in Garner, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, March, 19 at St. Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Parish of Garner - 1008 Vandora Springs Rd, Garner, NC 27529.