Joseph Mattingly Wathen
May 9, 1921 ~ April 6, 2012
Services:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD.
Joseph Mattingly Wathen, 90 of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on April 6, 2012 at Washington Hospital Center surrounded by his family. Born May 9, 1921 in Morganza, MD he was the son of the late Ignatius Truman and Mary Genevieve Mattingly Wathen. He is the loving husband of Shirley Ann Wathen. Mr. Wathen is survived by his children; Carole Presgrave (Kenny), Darlene White, Rose Long (David) all of Mechanicsville, MD, and Carla Bowles (Freddie) of Hollywood, MD. He is also survived by his siblings; Elizabeth Tippett of Leonardtown, MD, Phyllis Leymiester of Hollywood, MD, Jeanne Hammett-Martin (John) of Huntingtown, MD. 8 grandchildren; Tammy Hill, William M. White, III, Crystal Gisriel, Lisa Long, Freddie Bowles, III, Joseph Bowles, Michael Long, and Shannon Bowles, 5 great-grandchildren; Ross White, Ashley King, Patrick Hill, Gracie Bowles, and Jackson Long. In addition to his parents Mr. Wathen was preceded in death by his siblings; Imelda Johnson, John Wathen, Frank Wathen, Mary Genevieve Arban, Ignatius Truman Wathen, II, McGuire Wathen, and James Wathen. Mr. Wathen was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, he graduated from Margaret Brent high school; he worked for Leonardtown Laundry for 23 years, then SMECO from 1973 until his retirement on May 30, 1986, he loved to watch NASCAR racing, football, dancing, telling jokes, and listening to music and spending time with his loving wife of 58 years, his 4 girls, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his many nieces and nephews, he was also looking forward to the birth of his new great-grandson this year. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be: Freddie Bowles, III, Joseph Bowles, Michael Long, Ronnie Wathen, Joe Johnson, and Gary Hurst. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Freddie Bowles, Jr., Kenny Presgrave, Mark Wathen, George Wathen, Clarence Boswell, Freddie Bowles, Sr., Wayne Presgrave, and Bernard Clarke.
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“We will deeply miss Uncle Joe. We will remember all the good times and parties we shared that cute smile you gave to all. Aunt Shirley may God be with you and the family during this hard time.If we can be of any help Please let us know. Love you all. Love J.C. Tina and Family “
“Shirley, Carol Ann, Darlene, Rose and Carla: We wish we knew he perfect thing to say right now, we can only tell you that the Wathen family is special to us, and that you’re all in our thoughts and prayers now more than ever. What a wonderful life Joe Mac lived and such a wonderful wife and daughters. Joe Mac was a wondeful person, neighbor,and friend and we are so glad that we knew him for decades, with Skip all his life. We are so sorry that we will be unable to attend any of the services for him, we now live in Florida only 1 1/2 miles from Dedie. We are enjoying it, but it makes it so hard when people we love pass away and we are unable to be there to offer our condolences in person. Just remember we all have our precious members and as long as we have those he will live on in our hearts. Stay close to each other, and now look out for Shirley. May God bless all of the Wathen family. We love you all. With love, Skip & Doris Jones”
“Mrs. Wathen and family my condolences goes out to you all Joe was a lovely man always had a smile on his face, my thoughts and prayers go out to you all.xx “
“I want you to know I am thinking of you all. Joe Mack was a sweet man. Shirley, I will keep you in my prayers. Mary Frances”
“Uncle Joe, we are going to miss you so much! You loved all unconditionally. You always greeted people like it was a real joy to see them. The joy was all ours, we always looked forward to seeing you and Aunt Shirley. Your girls & their families have so many wonderful memories to help them through this sad time. R.I.P Uncle Joe, I can only imagine the reunion you all are having in Heaven! Love and miss you! Anne & Skip”
“Carla I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was a very nice man. You and your family have my deepest condolences. Take care and know we do care. Beth and Ronnie Ward “
“So sorry to hear about Mr. Wathen’s passing. His family will be in my prayers. “
“Dear Mama Shirley, Carol, and Family. We are so sorry for your great loss. The Good news is that Daddy is in Heaven with JESUS. We will continue to pray for all the family, and may GOD BLESS all of you. Love Anna and Family.”
“Carla, Rose, Darlene, Carol & Grandma I am so sorry to hear about your Dad but you know you have one big hearted angel you will be with you always! treasure the wondeful memories and his awesome smile and hold each other close! Thinking of you all.”
“Aunt Shirley you are in my thoughts and prayer in your time of loss..”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Wathen family. He will be greatly missed by so many. My god bless all of his family and friends to get through this time in need. “RIP” Joe Mack “
“Aunt Shirley our hearts go out to you and your family,as I know your hearts are broken but Joe Mack was a good man and he will be missed. I wish you all the best and god will walk you thur this.”
“All my prayers go to you. He was truly a unique fellow. My dad always talked about how Joe Mack & Truman were his favorite uncles. Joe Mack never knew a stranger. Always had a smile & something nice to say to you. He was unforgettable.”
“To the Wathen family, I am sorry to here about the your lost. I know you all will miss him a lot. Thinking of you all.”
“SHIRLEY, CAROL, DARLENE, ROSE, CARLA AND FAMILY, I’M SO SORRY TO HEAR YOUR HUSBAND/DAD PASSED. HE WAS SUCH A GREAT MAN, HE LIVED A GOOD LIFE. I KNOW YOU ALL WILL MISS HIM DEARLY. MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF YOU. THE BUCKLER FAMILY SENDS THEIR LOVE TO ALL OF YOU ALSO.”
” My love goes out to all the family. Uncle Joe was one of the best. He will always hold a special place in my heart!Aunt Shirley , You have so many memories . You were a wonderful wife. making him a wonderful husband and father . Peace. Love Linda”
“You are all in our thoughts and prayers. He was such a wonderful man who will be missed by so many. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. “
“Wathen family, My thoughts and prayers are with you.Uncle Joe will be missed. Love Rose and family”
“We Love you guys and know how hard it is right now and only time will ease the pain. Uncle Joe and my brother in-law will be missed so much. Mom says she will miss Joe’s jokes and how he always smiled. We love you and will keep you in our thoughts and prays. Love Wendy and Jean”
“To Mrs. Wathen, Carla, Darlene and all the Wathen Family My sincere condolences to all of you on the death of Mr. Wathen,he was a wonderful, gentle man who always had a smile. I always enjoyed seeing him when in came into the office and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely Joan Thompson”
“I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Joe was a loving and friendly man and he will be missed on this earth. I’ve always considered him quite a lucky man to be surrounded by such a beautiful family full of people that would do anything for anyone. He is looking down on you all now and smiling. I’m certain he’s very grateful to finally be rid of the pain and to now have the view we all wish to have one day, looking down from Heaven above. My prayers and condolences go out to you all. Love always, Karen”
“Our prayers go out to you and your family in this time of need.GOD BLESS YOU.”
“Dear Shirley and family. I will truly miss my uncle Joe and his warm smile and gentel ways. Yes he was known as the peace keeper in the family.I will also miss my regular call to him on May 9TH his birthday and the start of my working at the Post.I will also miss his no hesitation to say I love you and give you a peck on the cheek, you know what real men do.The lord has a very special place in heaven for men like uncle Joe.”
“As my girls would call you Grandma Shirley, Carol Ann, Darlene, Rose, Carla my heart is heavy with the lost of Joe Mac I can see his smile and hear his voice he will be missed by all who knew and loved him you will all be in my heart and prayers I have so many memories of time spent in your home and family thank you for all the love you have shared with me and my family all my love GINGER”
“Carole Ann: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.”
“Aunt Shirley we are so sad to hear about joe.We offer our condolences to all of you. We will keep you in our prayers. From ralph,margaret & our family .”
“Carole, My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. I pray for the time when your sadness is gently replaced by smiles and pleasant memories of your father.”
“Carole, Carla and Family – So sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. He was a special man and God wanted him home to be another Angel. It is so hard to lose a parent but, be strong and hang in there through the tough times. He had a good life with you and all your family who loved him so much. Hold on to all the fun memories and he will live on forever within you. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. “
“To the family of Mr. Joseph Mattingly Wathen, it will be the little things that you will remember, the quiet moments,the smiles, the laughter. Although it may seem hard right now, it will be the memories of these little things that help you to push away the pain and bring the smiles back again.”
“Mrs Wathen, Carole and family, In your memories may you find comfort. May you find love in your friends and family. In your hearts, may you find the strength to help you through these trying times. Thoughts and prayers are with you.”
“Dear Carole, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Sincerely, Nancy”
“We are so sorry for your loss! Carole, I did not know your dad personally but what I did know from all the stories I have heard was that he was an amazing dad, husband & friend. He was loved very much. Not everyone can truly say they have the kind of love and respect that your family has and your dad truly felt it! He is in a better place now looking down watching over you all & finally feeling no pain. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this very difficult time! “
“‘TO the Wathen,family I am so sorry to hear about Joe Mac passing, hold on to the memories and he will always be with you.”
“Carole and family my prayers are with you try to remember the good times you have with your daddy.”
“Aunt Shirley and cousins Carol Ann, Darlene, Rose and Carla, Wanted to let you all know we are thinking of you and our thoughts and prayers go out to you all. “
“Mrs. Wathen and family We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Wathen was such a kind hearted man just like all of you, our heart and prayers go out to you all.”
“RIP Joe Mack. What a beautiful service for a wonderful man. There was noboby like him, he was a great man. He has the best family I have ever met in my entire life, and it showed today. Love you all.”
“Shirley and Family, So sorry to learn about Joe Mack’s passing. Didn’t realize he was experiencing health problems. May God’s comfort and peace and love sustain you during this time. Love, Barbara & Jerry Osterman “
” I know my Dad was called home to heaven but Me, Mom Carole,Darlene and Rose and all of his grand kids and great grand kids miss him so much this has been a very hard time for us and don’t know if we will ever be the same again because a part of us has gone with him Every where we go everything we do just is not the same for he is not here doing these things with us and it hurts so bad R.I.P Dad we will always Love you and be thinking of you..Every day I know I have a angel by my side I only wish I could reach out and touch you “