Zetta “Jane” Arwood Matlock, of Lenoir City, died peacefully on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at her new residence, Morning Pointe of Lenoir City. She was 90 years old.

Jane was co-founder of Matlock Tire in Lenoir City along with her late husband, Joe Matlock. She was loved and respected by all as a faithful Christian, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, and neighbor. She was greatly admired for her grace and charm.

Jane was born at home on the family farm that straddled Loudon and Roane Counties on July 14, 1933 to Lloyd and Effie Eblen Arwood. She was the third of six children. As a child she attended Bradbury Elementary School. She graduated from Kingston High School and Knoxville Business College. Her first job was at Miller’s Department Store and she later worked at Y-12 before marrying. After marriage she joined Joe as bookkeeper at his new gas and tire business. Over the years, as the business grew, she would meet many customers who she considered friends. She was loved by customers and considered employees as part of the family. The employees and many members of the community often called her “Miss Jane.” Joe had lovingly referred to her as his “Beauty and Brains from Pawpaw Plains.”

Jane became a Christian at a young age at PawPaw Plains Baptist Church. She later joined Crossroads Church of the Nazarene where she worshipped and served for over 70 years. She served as Sunday School teacher, board member, church greeter, Missionary Society leader, treasurer and most recently encourager to all. She traveled on Work and Witness trips to Haiti and Kenya. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Church of the Nazarene. She and her special friend, Phyllis Fuja, served for decades in the trusted role of church tellers. She had served on the Board of Trustees of Trevecca Nazarene University.

Jane’s husband, Joe, died in 1982 leaving her widowed for 42 years. She continued to work alongside her son, Jimmy, at Matlock Tire until 2000. Jane was a wonderful cook and enjoyed hosting many meals for family and friends. Her grandchildren requested her spaghetti and meatballs for many gatherings. She maintained her beautiful flowers often sharing her plants and frequently cutting bouquets for her husband’s grave.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Effie Eblen Arwood; In-laws, Paul and Hazel Short Matlock; her husband, Joe Matlock; sister, Bernice Arwood Speers; brothers, Clyde Arwood, Troy Arwood and Joe Arwood; brothers-in-law, Charles Matlock and Barney Speers; sisters-in-law, Beulah Arwood, JoAnn Arwood and Elizabeth Arwood.

She is survived by four children - Daughters, Malinda Flynn (Dr. Michael); Regina Tipton (Rev. Mark); Kathy Wampler (John Edd) and son, Jimmy Matlock (Dean); Grandchildren; Katie Flynn Veal (Matt), Patrick Flynn (Olivia), Aaron Tipton (Connie), Christin Tipton Fangemeyer (John), Lindsay Matlock Lara (Shaun), Joe Matlock (Allyson), Reagan Matlock (McCall), Andrew Wampler (Steffie), Grace Wampler Haun (Jace) and John “Riley” Wampler (Jazzie);  Great Grandchildren; Bradford and Harper Veal, Ella Grey Flynn, Cole and Johnny (Kayla) Fangemeyer, Lucy and McClain Matlock, Theodore and Margaret Lara, Clara and Eloise Haun, Thomas Wampler and a new addition to be added in November.  Also survived by her brother, Lloyd Arwood, sisters-in-law, Judy Arwood, Julia Matlock Rutledge; brother-in-law, Paul Lane Matlock.

Jane was assisted by three wonderful caregivers; Paula Drake, Ruth Ann Blazer and Melissa Farmer Haun.

Jane enjoyed her home in the neighborhood of Eaton Village and the many friends and neighbors that cared for each other there. Recently, she had moved to Morning Pointe Lenoir City where she reconnected with long-time special friend, Janie Amburn, and made many new friends there too. She greatly enjoyed her short time there. The kindness of the staff and technicians at Morning Pointe were a blessing to Jane.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Central United Methodist Church in Lenoir City, TN with  funeral services to follow at 3:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lenoir City.  If you would like to bring a few fresh cut flowers from your own garden, we will put together a living memorial to take to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be made either to Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, 5350 Highway 321 North, Lenoir City, TN 37771 or to  Loudon Co. Gideons International, P O Box 862, Lenoir City, TN 37771.