Mattie Beatrice Haywood was born on March 25, 1939, in Farmersville, Louisiana, to the late Mary Lou and Wise Russell. She attended Union Parrish High School in Farmersville, Louisiana but later graduated from Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, California. She attended and graduated from
Cerro Coso Community College with a degree in Child Development.
Early in her life, Mattie left Farmersville, Louisiana, and relocated to Ridgecrest,
California, to be with her sisters and brothers. Later on, she met and married the love of her life, John P.
Haywood, and together they had two beautiful baby boys. Mattie and John were married for 64 years.
1947 Mattie was baptized at the Millard Baptist Church. During her teens, Mattie attended Union Baptist Church, where she was a member and enjoyed singing in the choir. In 1975 she was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, she was a faithful deaconess, Pathfinder Master Guide, and greeter and did outreach for the community.
She served in the Ridgecrest Seventh-day Adventist church for 48 years.
Mattie passed away on May 10, 2023, in Apple Valley, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, ten of her siblings, Johnny, Isaleen, Lester, Verdell, Panker, Willow Mae, Speaker,
Carrie, Wise Jr, a sibling who died at birth, and a daughter-in-law. She leaves to cherish her precious memories: husband; John P. Haywood, two sons; John A. Haywood and Keith E. Haywood, sister; Mary
Eddins, daughter-in-law; Mariann Haywood, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 02, at 10:00 AM at the Ridgecrest Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 555 W Las Flores Ave, Ridgecrest.