Mattie Belle Rothwell, 92, of Florence, SC, died on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at Southland Health Care Center. Mrs. Rothwell was born in Dillon, SC. Her parents were Gus and Emma Horne Hulon and Jesse “Chief” Miller.
Mattie Belle Rothwell spent most of her life in Florence, SC, and was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. She worked outside the home during her young adult life as an independent life insurance agent and as an Avon representative. However, the work she loved the most was as a mother to her three sons and wife to her dear husband Joe. She was blessed throughout the years to have many loving grandchildren as well as great, and great-great grandchildren. Having her family nearby was what she wanted most. Mrs. Rothwell loved Gospel music, reading her Bible, fishing, all dogs and beautiful flowers.
Mrs. Rothwell was preceded in death by her husband, Joe D. Rothwell, her two eldest sons, A. Bryan (Shirley) Rothwell of Charleston, SC, and Buren T. (Sondra Leen, also deceased) Rothwell, Sr. of Coward, SC, as well as her brothers, Junior (Christine) Hulon, Marvin “Bill” Hulon, Edgar (Virgie) Hulon, Verson (Gertrude) Hulon, Frazier (Ruth) Miller, Braxton (Lula Mae) Miller, and her sister, Eunice “Monk” Miller (Henslee) Rogers.
She is survived by her son, J. Michael (Linda) Rothwell, MD, FACS, of Sevierville, TN; grandchildren, Karen F. Rothwell of Knoxville, TN, Gwen (Luis) Garcia of Darlington, SC, Beverly Rothwell of Charleston, SC, Carolyn Cook of Florence, SC, Celeste (Lavon) Lambert of Bonneau, SC, Theresa (Eric) Fortenberry of Forest, MS, Heather Rothwell and Aaron Rothwell, both of Charleston, SC, Buren T. ”BT” (Corbette) Rothwell, Jr. of Florence, SC, Joe M. Rothwell of Plantation, FL, Lorne Rothwell, Lake City, SC, and Joshua Rothwell, Coward, SC,; 13 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Dr. Skinner and his staff at Southland Health Care Center for all of the love and care given to Mrs. Rothwell during the time she was a resident there and especially during her final struggle.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Saturday April 20, 2013 at 1:00p.m. The family will receive friends at Cain Funeral Home on West Second Loop Road from 10:00a.m. to 12 noon, prior to the mass at the church. Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Buren T. “BT” Rothwell, Jr. and his son Colin, Luis Garcia (Gwen’s husband), Aaron B. Rothwell, Jr., and great-grandsons, Devon Lambert, and Lance Lambert. Interment will follow the mass immediately at Florence Memorial Gardens.
Cain Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online condolences page can be found at www.cainfuneralhome.com.
