Martha Carter Mattocks

Mattocks—Martha Carter Mattocks, 71, of High Point, N.C, on March 16, 2019. Martha was born on June 5, 1947, in Richmond, Va., the oldest child of Barbara Lasley and Conrad Norwood Carter. She graduated from South Mecklenburg High School (Charlotte, N.C.) in 1965 and Guilford College in 1969. During her years at Guilford, she worked with the youth group at New Garden Meeting in Greensboro, N.C. Also in 1969, she married Clarence Vance Mattocks. Although raised in the Methodist Church, she was a convinced Friend who joined Springfield Meeting in High Point, N.C., when she and Clarence married, serving as Sunday school teacher, United Society of Friends Women member and leader, board member of the Springfield Memorial Association, dedicated choir member, youth group leader, and committee member. She taught high school social studies in Richmond, and then worked at a dental research center in Chapel Hill, N.C., while Clarence attended law school. She grew to love University of North Carolina sports. They moved to High Point, N.C., where he practiced law and she devoted her time to raising their two daughters.

She served the community as president of High Point Junior Woman’s Club and was named 1980 Club Woman of the Year. As a young mother, she helped transport babies for the Children’s Home Society and was PTA president for Kirkman Park Elementary School, for which she received the High Point PTA Council Laurin Welborn Award. She was also school district PTA president, a charter member of the Friends of High Point Public Library, and sat for many years on the board and served as board chair of Mobile Meals of High Point, an organization that provides and delivers hot meals to senior citizens.

She and James began to attend Jamestown (N.C.) Meeting in the 1980s, and she transferred her membership there in 1990. She clerked the United Society of Friends Women and the Ministry and Counsel Committee, helped to organize and facilitate the annual chicken barbecue dinner, worked on the twice-yearly yard sales, served on the Music Committee and Flower Committee, and wrote the “Did You Know?” column for the meeting newsletter for many years. Often presiding in meeting for worship, she gave a prepared message on several occasions. Using her organizational skills not only for serious endeavors, she planned and implemented fun events such as talent shows, Oscar night, choir concerts, and ice cream socials, often writing lyrics for amusing songs at these events.

In the wider community of Friends, she was a board member of Friends Homes and the Friends Center of Guilford College, and she was the main attraction at the Friends Emergency Materials Assistance Program (FEMAP) Tea Party fundraiser. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, and her humor and outlook on life brought cheer to those around her. She was a kind and gentle spirit, and all who knew her will miss her Light and comforting presence.

Martha is survived by her husband, Clarence Vance Mattocks; two children, Wendy M. Mattocks and Robyn M. Huffstetler (Seth); two grandchildren; and a sister, Susan Carter-Hope.

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