Joe Matheny

Joe Don Matheny, age 69, passed away on July 14, 2021 after a fearless battle with liver cancer.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Bedonna Clayton Matheny, both parents,
James Carlon Matheny and Bessie Overbey, and his only brother, JC Matheny.
Joe is survived by his only child, Amanda Jane Beck (David) and his two beloved grandsons,
Nicholas Clayton Biggs and Jacob Matthew Beck. Joe also leaves behind all four of his sisters:
Edith Faye McLendon (Jim), Willie Jean Head (Kenny), Norma Ann Richardson (Harvey) and
Rebecca ("Becky") Sue Gage.
Joe was born in Murfreesboro TN on November 8, 1951, and he lived with his wife Bedonna, in
Donelson TN for over 45 years. Joe graduated from East High School in 1969 then attended
Austin Peay University, before entering the Navy in 1971. Later in life, while working for Nashville
Electric Service (NES), Joe returned to school and earned an Associates Degree in Business
Management. In August 2011, after dedicating 37.5 years to his beloved NES career, Joe retired
as a Senior Dispatcher to start his most anticipated job: "GrandDaddy Day Care", for his first born
grandson, Nicholas. In 2016, Joe welcomed his second grandson, Jacob, and spent the rest of
his life catering to the wants and needs of his wife, daughter and both "Bestest Buddies".
Joe will be greatly missed his best friend and golfing partner Jim Baldwin and his wife Ruth
Ann. In his absence, members of Joe's NES family will also also feel the loss of their well loved
and respected colleague. In 1986, Joe's wife decided to have her family host an exchange
student, which resulted in a lifelong "Father/Daughter relationship" with Anke Hecht, now a
state prosecutor residing in Bremen, Germany. She has been deeply saddened by Joe's passing
and is grieving from afar. During Amanda's childhood, Joe became a father figure to two of his
daughter's best friends, Ben Cowger and Jared Murray, and today they too feel the profound loss
of their "second dad".
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 Joe and his wife
Bedonna will start at 2pm. A catered reception on site will follow immediately after the service.
Retirees and current NES employees are encouraged to wear any form of NES attire or uniforms.
All other guests are encouraged to wear orange or UT themed clothing.
Per Joe's and Bedonna'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
his daughter Amanda Beck.