Hubert Carlton Matheson

Hubert Carlton Matheson, age 91, of Kellwood Drive, Boone, NC, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation, after nearly 2 years of declining health.

Born March 1, 1935, in the Bethel Community of North Carolina, he was a son of the late Carl and Ivalee Isaacs Matheson.

Surviving is his daughter, Mitzi Michele Matheson of Lenoir, NC.

Other survivors include his brother-in-law, Thomas Michael Norris and wife, Marie, and sister-in-law, Anne Houck Norris, all of Boone.

Also surviving are his niece, Linda Skeens, of Blacksburg, VA, and his nephews, Dan Skeens of Dublin, VA, and Brian Skeens and wife, Angela, of Boone.

Additional survivors include his nieces: Anita Chappell, Pam Moretz and husband, David, Debbie Wilson and husband, Pete, and Kendall LaBrutto and husband, Cam, all of Boone, and Kinsay Sand and husband, Matt, of Asheville, NC. Also, a number of cherished great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Hubert was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Gail Norris Matheson, his sister, Billie Jean Matheson Skeens and husband, Dale, his brother, James Matheson and wife, Hazel, and his mother-in-law, Myrtle Grogan Norris.

Also preceding him in death were his brothers-in-law, Bobby Joe Norris, and G.C. Norris and wife, Martha, as well as his niece, Ronetia Matheson, his nephews, Ronnie Matheson, Randy Skeens and Scott Norris, and his nephew-in-law Ben Chappell.

Hubert was a life-long resident of Watauga County, well-known, loved and respected by many. During his younger years, those who knew him best simply called him “Huey”.

He was a veteran of the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Jackson, SC. He was honorably discharged in 1957, after spending six months in a US Military hospital, suffering from Rheumatic Fever. He deeply loved and respected his country and always wished he had been able to return to service. He cherished the American Flag and the freedom and sacrifice for which it stands.

A dedicated husband and father, Hubert married the love of his life, Georgia Gail Norris, in 1959. At the time of her passing in 2018, they had been together for 59 years. They had one daughter, Mitzi.

Hubert was a member of First Independent Baptist Church in Blowing Rock, NC, where he attended with his wife, Georgia, for more than 25 years. It was there that he was ordained as a deacon at the age of 89. Prior to this church home, they were members of the former Central Missionary Baptist Church in Boone, NC, from its founding.

Hubert loved the Lord and often could be found witnessing his faith to friends and caregivers, and sometimes strangers. He was strongly committed to his church and to his faith in Jesus Christ. He often liked to tell the story of how he found Jesus in October, 1952, at the age of 17, while working the fields of his family farm.

His favorite Bible verse was Psalm 19:14, which says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Hubert grew up on a farm in the Bethel Community during the Depression years. Those years instilled in him the importance of integrity and hard work. He developed a genuine love for work and a strong work ethic. Whether plowing fields for harvest or clearing land for building, he simply loved to work.

He lived by Ecclesiastes 9:10 - “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might….”          And Colossians 3:23 - “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

In the 1950’s, Hubert’s love for work took him from the farm into professional life, which started with several years as an employee of Newton’s Department Store in downtown Boone.

Then, that same dedication guided him through a 43 ½-year career with Shadowline, Inc. from shipping clerk to industrial engineer. He headed operations in Shadowline plants in Boone and Mars Hill, NC, and established a new factory in Mexico.

For more than 40 years, Hubert also was owner and operator of Matheson’s Used Cars in Boone and took great pride in running an ethical business. He was the first in his family to ever drive or own a vehicle. This sparked an interest in cars and a love for driving that spanned a lifetime. After his retirement from Shadowline, he spent much of his time driving dealer transfers across the Eastern portion of the United States.

Hubert remained active and energetic for almost 90 years. He now rests in the arms of his Savior, his Strength and his Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Funeral services for Hubert Carlton Matheson will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock at First Independent Baptist Church in Blowing Rock, NC. Graveside services, with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post #130, will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens in Boone.  The family will receive friends from noon until 1 o’clock, prior to services at the church.

Officiating will be the Rev. Gary Shew and several other pastor friends.

Flowers are appreciated.  The family respectfully requests no food and suggests memorial gifts, in memory of Hubert, be directed to First Independent Baptist Church, Post Office Box 2394, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 or to Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation, 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Matheson family.

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