Jewel Fern Mathers

Frankfort –Jewel Fern Hubbard Mathers, widow of Frederick Clifford Mathers Sr., passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. A native of Pound, Virginia, she was born on April 25th, 1938, to the late Charles Earl and Thelma Branham Hubbard.

Jewel’s favorite story to share was the beginning of her 69-year journey with the love of her life, Fred Mathers. They met when Jewel was a student in Fred’s business classes at Fugazzi. Their enduring love story began officially when they were married at the First Methodist Church in Pound, VA, eventually making their long-time home in Frankfort, KY.

Jewel took immense pride in her professional life, serving the Commonwealth at the Legislative Research Commission from 2005 until 2023. Even at the age of 85, she was known for her beautiful smile and the friendly greeting she extended to every lobbyist, constituent, and guest who walked through the doors.

Her spirit of service extended deeply into her faith community at East Frankfort Baptist Church. A longtime member of the church choir, Jewel’s voice was a constant in worship, whether she was singing "the old hymns" or contemporary Christian music. Her heart for others was perhaps most evident in the church nursery, where she spent years lovingly tending to the youngest members of her church family.

To her family, she was "Nanny"—the woman who was a grandmother to all. Her home and her heart were always open, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grew up knowing the safety and warmth of her embrace. She is survived by her son, Mark Mathers; her daughters, Lisa Mathers and Judith 'April' Brown (Barry); her grandchildren, Rick, Ryann, Spencer (Deavon), Camren, Mark II (Amber), Meghan (Robert,) Mason (Katelyn), Eli, Gabe, and Nicci; her great grandchildren, Liam, Addison, Mark III, Alyssa, Illeanna, Alura, Jensen, Kianna, and Kaylee (Hunter); her great great grandchildren, Kannon, Israel, Sutton, Bryson, and McKinley as well as many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.

Jewel Mathers lived a life of harmony—blending her love for her faith, her family and her work into a song that will resonate in the hearts of those who knew her for generations to come.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Rick Mathers, all of her siblings, Charles Hubbard, (Jan,) Terry Hubbard, (Sharon) Kenneth Hubbard, (Anna,) Judith Cole, (Tom,) and Shawn Hubbard and her sister-in-law, Carole Mathers.

On Thursday, May 7th, from 6-8pm, a family only visitation will be held at Clark Legacy Center, Frankfort, KY. Visitation for family and friends will be at the East Frankfort Baptist Church on Friday, May 8th 4-7pm followed by a funeral service by Pastor Kyle McDannell at 7pm. The Clark Legacy Center, Versailles Rd., Frankfort, KY is overseeing arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the East Frankfort Baptist Church.