Sara Ruth Matthews

Sara Ruth Williams Matthews, age 77, resident of Gulf Shores, AL, passed away suddenly, but peacefully on March 13, 2017 at her home. As described by her life-long best friend Becky, “there wasn’t anyone like her; she didn’t just walk to the beat of her own drum – she had an entire rhythm section.” Sara was brash and full of life. She loved golf and a good martini. Born in Newbern, Tennessee, Sara moved to Starkville, MS when she was 11. She graduated from Starkville HS and went on to earn bachelors and masters degrees from Mississippi State University. She married Warren Kleban and had 4 children, Jeff, Rick, Robert, and John. Sara loved to entertain and everyone agreed her parties were the best. As an example, she invited Johnny Cash to a party at her house after his concert. He had such a good time at the party he ended up spending the night in the Starkville City Jail – an experience from which he penned a song of the same name. This is just one of the many stories that characterize Sara’s life – always entertaining! In 1972, Sara and Warren divorced. She moved to New York City and enjoyed a long and successful career in the book publishing, retailing, and wholesaling business. Along the way she lived in New York, Toronto, Nashville, and ultimately Gulf Shores. During this time she married Geoff Matthews who worked with her in many of her book-related endeavors. Although Geoff and Sara divorced in 1992, Sara kept his last name, Matthews. After retiring to Gulf Shores nearly 20 years ago, she met and wed the love of her life, Jerry Hatcher. Like so much of Sara’s life, she met Jerry serendipitously – on a blind date set up by her best friend, Becky. For the past 17 years, Jerry and Sara have lived happily at their home in the Peninsula community where they loved to play golf, entertain, and just hang out with their friends and family. Sara picked up golf late in life, but like so many other things she did, she played with pizazz – getting a hole in one at her home course. Sara is survived by her husband Jerry Hatcher, 3 sons Jeff (Jackie), Rick (Stephanie), and Robert (Torrie) Kleban, her brother Norvell (Betsy) Williams, sister Eddie Sue Phillips (Chris) Winter, brother Joe (Tina) Phillips, brother Ike (Stephanie) Williams, and her grandchildren Laura Kleban, Rachel Kleban, Mitch (Jamie) Kleban, Lily Kleban, Joe Kleban, and Max Kleban. Sara wished to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in a private ceremony. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Peninsula Golf Club on Sunday, April 9th at 1:00 p.m. Sara will expect everyone to have a good time… In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choosing, in her memory.

Sara Ruth Matthews

July 30, 1939 - March 13, 2017