With hearts full of love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Martha Sue Harris Matulich, who peacefully passed away on January 15, 2026. She was 78 years old.
Born on May 24, 1947, in Heidelberg, Mississippi, Martha was the youngest of two children born to Milton Canfield “Jack” Harris and Ruth Tomlin Harris. After graduation from high school, she attended Mississippi State College for Women (MSCW) in Columbus, Mississippi.
Martha met her devoted husband, Frank Peter Matulich, Jr., in Columbia, Mississippi. They were joined together for almost 55 years. The family moved to Griffin, Georgia in 1979 and then to their final home in Tifton, Georgia in 1987. Martha and Frank were blessed with two children and three grandchildren.
While raising her children, Martha also enjoyed a career at Health Systems Management in Tifton, where her friendly smile and caring spirit made a lasting impression on her colleagues. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Tifton and treasured her time with the JOY Sunday School class.
Martha found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved cooking, working on crosswords, doing puzzles, cross stitching, and watching the Georgia Bulldogs. But her favorite joy was spending time with her grandchildren.
Martha’s legacy of love lives on through her husband Frank and her children: Christian Matulich and wife Carolyn (Dunwoody, Georgia), and Andrew Matulich (Asheville, North Carolina); and her grandchildren Carter Matulich (Nashville, Tennessee), Olivia Matulich (Dunwoody, Georgia) and Ryland Matulich (Asheville, North Carolina). She is also survived by her nieces Nancy Franklin, and Tina Underwood and husband Lance; her sister-in-law Brenda Pounds and husband Paul, and her sister-in-law Robin Ugone and husband Keith.
Martha was predeceased by her parents Milton Canfield “Jack” Harris and Ruth Tomlin Harris, as well as her brother Milton Thomas Harris and wife Millie. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association
A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Matulich at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton's First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe officiating. Mrs. Matulich will be laid to rest at a later date. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 24, 2026, immediately following the service in the Social Hall of Tifton's First Baptist Church.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Joy Sunday School Class of Tifton's First Baptist Church.