Mattie Jewel Buchanan

Mattie Jewel Buchanan

Sunrise : August 11, 1922

Sunset: April 16, 2020

Mattie Jewel Buchanan the 4th child  born to the parents of Margie Ree Brown, and James Ford in Okalona, AR on August 11, 1922.  Mattie met the love of her life Mr. Lee E. Buchanan in Okalona, AR and they married in February of 1943.  The two of them decided to step out on faith and migrate from Arkansas to the Pacific Northwest and settle in Seattle in 1945. 

Mattie was a God fearing, hard working woman who was all about family being first, and believed in paying it forward.  So much so, that even when getting settled into her new life in Seattle, Mattie and her husband were the first ones to help other families that were also making the big move from the South up North.  Mattie and Lee would open their home to other young families that were looking for a new start, and once they were able to get on their feet, never once did Mattie or Lee look for anything in return.

Mattie made it no secret that she loved the Lord.  Mattie along side her husband Lee were apart of the original 43 founding members who converted a vacant Safeway grocery warehouse on 28th & S. Jackson into the humble place of worship called Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership (at that time) H.K. Griffin Jr.

Mattie worked as a hotel maid for several years, and  Mattie also was one of the original graduates of the Isaiah Edwards School of Cosmetology with lifetime friend DeCharlene Williams. Mattie was an extraordinary beautician, and often did hair for clients in between working at the hotel and taking care of her family.   Mattie was a wonderful wife, and also a terrific mother as he had one son. Some would say a “man child” as was the nickname “Man” came about for her one and only son, James Edward Buchanan.  Mattie ran a tight ship when it came to “Man”.  Mattie made sure he knew who the Lord was, was always a gentleman, and always put his family first.  Mattie was also a great cook, who didn’t mind cooking any time it was requested.  Mattie could make any dessert, and was known for her delicious Chocolate pies, sweet potato pies, cobblers, cakes, and tea cakes just to name a few.  Mattie also made some mean pinto beans, collard greens, could fry chicken to perfection.  Christmas at Mattie’s will always be a great memory for the entire family, as she made sure there was more than enough to eat and take home to eat on for days!

Mattie was a family woman full of pride who loved her family and was always thinking about them.   Mattie never had any mean words for anyone, and always gave the best advice.  Her oldest grand daughter once asked her, what the secret was to living so long, and her reply was “I go to bed early, I don’t eat a lot of sweets, I pray everyday, and I mind my own business!” Words to truly live by

Mattie went to be with her heavenly father peacefully in the early am on Thursday April 16th. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Margie Ree Brown and James Ford, her husband Lee E. Buchanan, her sister Marjorie Crowe, her sister Pauline Carr, her brother James “Sonny” Ford, her brother Charles “Bud” Ford,  her sister Darlene “Doll” Moore, and her daughter-in-law Gloria J. Buchanan.  She is survived by her son, James E. Buchanan, her granddaughters Promise Buchanan-Jones, and Premeria Buchanan, her grandson Brandon Jones, her great grandson Langston K. Jones, her special nieces and nephew Betty Crowe,  Jeannie Toombs,  Charlene Moore, and Donald Toombs

“—To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”—II Corinthians 5:6