Bedonna Matheny

Bedonna Clayton Matheny, age 68, died on January 10, 2021 after succumbing to a five year
struggle with kidney failure. At the time of her passing, she was in her sister's home and at
peace, surrounded by her daughter, son-in-law, sister and brother-in-law.
At the time of her death, Bedonna was survived by her husband, Joe Don Matheny, her only
daughter, Amanda Jane Beck (David) and her two grandsons, Nicholas Clayton Biggs and Jacob
Matthew Beck. She also left behind her only sister, Cindy Jo Still (Kenneth), three nephews, Jason
Daniel Brown, Kyle Scott Brown and Benjamin Jospeh Brown (Andy Gutgsell), and her two nieces
Erica Mae Helton (Jeff) and Rosalynn Mae Still. Bedonna was preceded in death by both of her
parents.
Bedonna (also lovingly known as "Bedo" to her closest family and friends) was born to Don Dixon
and Betty Jane Clayton on May 29,1952, in Nashville TN. She graduated with honors from Two
Rivers High School before attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (UT). As a freshman
she joined the sorority Alpha Chi Omega where she served as Treasurer her senior year. Bedonna
graduated from UT in 1975 with a Bachelor's in Education and a minor in Special Education.
She also earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Around ten years later, she added to her
impressive resume by completing her degree in Industrial Engineering.
Bedonna will be sorely missed by her two best friends, Sarah Lea Butler Frost (friends since
age one) and Gloria Cottrell (instant friends & roommates since Sophmore year in college). In
1986, Bedonna decided to have her family host an exchange student, which resulted in a lifelong
"Mother/Daughter relationship" with Anke Hecht, now a state prosecutor residing in Bremen,
Germany. During her daughter's childhood, Bedonna became an honorary mother to two of
Amanda's best friends, Ben Cowger and Jared Murray, and today they too feel the deep loss of
their "second mom". It goes without saying that Bedonna was abundantly loved by all who knew
her and will leave holes in many hearts for years to come.
There will be a visitation of friends and family on Saturday, August 14, 2021, between 1-2pm at
Cole & Garrett Funeral Home, Goodlettsville, TN. A double memorial service for Bedonna and her
husband Joe will start at 2pm. A catered on site reception will immediately follow the service.
Guests are encouraged to wear orange or UT themed clothes to honor Bedonna's Alma Mater.
Per Bedonna and Joe's final request, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the college
funds of Nicholas Clayton Biggs and/or Jacob Matthew Beck. Joe started both boys a college
fun on the day they were born. Cards can be brought to the funeral home addressed to her
daughter Amanda Beck.