Harriett Virginia Matiak, 74, of Villa Rica, GA, passed away, Monday, October 16th, 2023 at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, after a brief hospitalization related to recurring health challenges that she battled through many times. She was known as a survivor and fought to the end.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm, Friday, October 27 th at Concord Baptist Church, 3376 Harmony Road, Temple, GA 30179, with Brother Don Scoggins will be officiating. Family visitation will begin at 12pm, prior to the service. Inurnment will occur on Monday, October 30 th at 12:30pm at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA, and all are welcome.

Harriett was born December 31 st , 1948 in Marietta, Georgia to Maudie Lee (Henry); JD Clackum, Sr. and was the baby of fifteen children. She went on to graduate from Sprayberry High School in 1966. On February 19 th , 1968, she married Raymond Glen Matiak of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, they were together until his passing in 2019 and raised 3 children together. She held many jobs thru her working years; medical
assistant, phone operator, purchasing manager, and finally caregiver, which she seemed most proud of. It really meant something to her to care for those in need or less fortunate than she, even when struggling herself. She was known to be generous to a fault, even when there was very little to share.
She was a great cook; it was one of many ways she showed her love for her family. She enjoyed traveling and did so until her health created limitations; by then she had many, many miles under her belt. She was funny, talkative, strong-willed, fiercely independent, and even a little sassy, yet easy to love; loved deeply and will be missed immensely.

Harriett is survived by two sons, Joseph Matiak (Sherry), Donald Matiak (Stana), daughter, Pebble Cole (Michael), and son-in-love, Mark Lewis, all of Paulding County; seven grandchildren (Nicholas Cole, Samantha Cole, Ryan Matiak, James Matiak, Mikayla Matiak, Nathaniel Matiak, Liora "Lilly" Matiak); brother Dorris Clackum of Douglasville, GA, brother-in-law Jerry McClure of Biloxi, MS, as well as sister- in-laws, Helen Clackum of Marietta, GA, and Annie Clackum of Cedartown, GA, and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Harriett's niece Karen Walton was especially dear to her, a confidante, a supporter and was always there to help her and her family during difficult times. Harriett is preceded in death by both parents, Maudie and JD, and all siblings, except brother, Dorris Clackum.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Harriett's honor to the church hosting her service, Concord Baptist Church, any children's charity; she was particularly fond of Operation Smile and St. Jude or Shriner's Hospital for children, or to her family to help cover final expenses, whichever is your heart's calling.