Obituary of Barbara Matheson Hartley

Barbara Matheson Hartley, age 74, of Boone, passed away Sunday evening, August 5, 2018 at Watauga Medical Center. Born June 9, 1944 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Sterling and Patty May Smith. Barbara was a member of Meat Camp Baptist Church. She retired from Watauga Medical Center where she worked as a telemetry tech and operating room secretary. Barbara was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. Toughest Woman Ever, as so many people have said. She exemplified this by cooking for her family and friends even when she was not well enough, checking on her children and grandchildren, even talking on the phone may have been hard at times, sharing recipes on Facebook, even if she could not eat it, making sure the nurses that came to the house had goodie bags as they left, asking everyone she came in contact with how they were, even while lying in ICU, and most importantly, making sure her friends and family knew how blessed she was, and that they were the reason she was fighting so hard. She was a witness to all of how important God was to her, and how she never gave up, and to always say I Love You every chance you get. The family would like to say a special thank you to the entire staff of Watauga Medical Center, Dr. Debra Taylor, Dr. Michael Meadows and Dr. Andrew Hordes as well as Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care and Medi-Home Health and Hospice. Thank you for loving her an providing such excellent care. Barbara is survived by her husband of 21 years, Tommy Hartley; daughters, Dixie Sorrow and husband, Stephen, of Boone, Ponza Millaway and husband, Charlie, of Zionville, Sonya Long and fiancé, Steve Day, of Fleetwood; and son, Jeffrey Matheson and wife, Libby, of Laurel Springs. She was loved by her grandchildren, Amber Osteen and Aubrey Goss, both of Boone, Makenzie Presnell of Zionville, Katie Matheson of Laurel Springs, Ryan Goss and Quentin Long, both of Boone, and Ben Matheson of Laurel Springs; and seven great-grandchildren, and by her special friend, Peggy B. Hayes of Conway, SC. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Ebert; brother, Bobby Smith; and husband, Beacher L. Matheson. Funeral services for Barbara Matheson Hartley will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 oclock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Mike Townsend. Graveside services will be private. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Austin & Barnes. The family suggests memorials to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645; to Medi-Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, NC 28607; or to the Grandfather Home for Children, PO Box 1, Barium Springs, NC 28010. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hartley family.