Ashley Matthews: Profile in Kindness & Faith

Macon Funeral Home • Feb 14, 2020

Macon Funeral Home is very pleased to announce the addition of Ashley Matthews to our highly respected staff. Ashley has many outstanding qualities when it comes to connecting and helping families. We took a few minutes to talk with her this week, and here's what she had to say.

Ashley and her father Mike Arnold. The two are very close and the family's history is linked to providing bereavement support for three generations.

MFH: We understand you worked in finance for the better part of 20 years. Tell us a little about your career and what it taught you?

AM: In 1999 I started out as a part-time teller, then I progressed up the ranks to customer service and then to management. I left management in 2013 and moved into the mortgage banking piece of finance, where I worked until June 2019. It was time for a change, so I went to work for an attorney, doing the other side of the mortgage, the real estate closing side. It was not a good fit at all, and I felt God calling me elsewhere, just not sure where at that point.

MFH: That's an impressive career and sometimes a change doesn't work the way we expect. What put Macon Funeral Home on your radar?

AM: I received a phone call from someone I knew who was in the process of opening a funeral service and wanted me to come work with him. This was not something I had ever given much thought to. However, I should have [she laughs].

My great grandfather was a funeral director. His family lived in the funeral home, and my grandmother used to tell me stories of playing hide-and-seek in the caskets as a little girl. Also, my mother-in-law retired from a funeral home in Haywood County, where she worked as the office administrator. And, the best part is, my dad is a part-time funeral assistant at Macon Funeral Home.

"Getting to help families

through such a rough time

I count as a ministry."

The offer didn't really work out, but I believe God got me thinking about this further. I went to see my Dad — I'm still a huge Daddy's Girl — and discussed it with him. He encouraged me and let me know that perhaps there was an opening for me at Macon Funeral Home.

I then talked to Brian [Hylton] and here I am, exactly where God was calling me. I have such peace and am enjoying every aspect of this career. The blessing of getting to help families through such a rough time I count as a ministry. I am so fortunate to be a part of it. I am also super blessed to work with my Dad and minister alongside him!

MFH: When it comes to our professions, we know people tend to perform best when they love their jobs. What values do you think you share with families in our area?

AM: First and foremost, my faith in Christ sustains me through all I do. My family is everything to me. I am the oldest of four and I still live in the town where I grew up. So, I have my parents very close and my siblings, and their families visit often.

I have been married to my husband for 23 years — 24 in May — and together we have three beautiful children. My eldest are 16 and 15 (only five months apart) and our youngest is seven. We were also Foster Parents for a few years and were very blessed by a precious three-year-old who kept us hopping. Unfortunately, she left our home in October and this has left a huge hole in our hearts.

We also have a precious Goldendoodle named Piper, who gave birth to seven puppies in December. Four of them are still available... [laughs].

MFH: When you're not working or just want to treat yourself, what are some of the things you enjoy doing?

AM: We are avid Georgia Bulldog fans and attend the games when we can. I love being outdoors, travelling, shopping and spending time with friends and family. When the weather is warm you can find us enjoying time by the pool, camping or boating, and skiing at the lake. When the weather is cold, I enjoy curling up by the fire with a good book.