Josie-Tatum (Mattox) Carlson

Mrs. Josie-Tatum (JieLun) Mattox Carlson, 21, of Sautee-Nacoochee, GA, formerly of Blackshear, passed away Tuesday morning, November 12, 2024, in Gainesville, GA.

Josie-Tatum was born in Gaoming- Guangzhou Province of China on November 22, 2002, and grew up most of her life in Blackshear with her official “Gotcha Day” being on February 5, 2004.  Josie-Tatum was a 2021 graduate of Pierce County High School where she was the class Valedictorian. While most would consider Valedictorian a crowning achievement, Josie-Tatum saw this accomplishment as an opportunity not to boast of her good grades, but to share of HIS Good News.  She also received her Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Mercer University in 2024.  Josie-Tatum had a passion for mission work and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  After her first couple of short-term missions trips, when given the opportunity to travel to Europe, Josie-Tatum chose not that which is beautiful, but that which is better.  She told her mom, “There’s nothing wrong with a trip to Europe, but what glory would God get from that except a pretty picture on Instagram?!”   She was currently the missions assistant at Christ Place Church in Flowery Branch.  She had also worked with the youth ministry at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon.

Josie-Tatum enjoyed hiking and family road trips (she would choose staying in a tent rather than a 5-star hotel).  She kept her family on their toes and always wanted you to be the best version of yourself. You would always find her with a smile on her face and the willingness to help anyone.  If you were the one sitting alone at lunch, she would be the one to come sit with you.  Josie-Tatum had a true servants heart and touched numerous lives throughout her short life.  

She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Stanley “Stan” Mattox; her maternal grandparents, Robert Bennett, Jeannine Mattox McFadyen, and Tracy “Oats” Mattox, and Russell Beahan.

Survivors include her husband, Ethan G. Carlson of Sautee-Nacoochee; her mother and step-father, Robbie & Scott Beahan of Blackshear; two sisters, Whitney (Kennith) Bennett of Clyo, GA and Ellie Mattox of Milledgeville; five brothers, Brandon Mancil of Patterson, Caleb (Marty) Mattox of Waynesville, NC, and Zeke Mattox, Drew Mattox, and Josh Beahan (Noel Pringle) all of Blackshear; her maternal grandmothers, Lynda Bennett of Blackshear and Sandie Beahan of St. Charles, Missouri; her nieces and nephew, Jenna Bennett, Caroline Bennett, James Bennett, Brianne Beahan, and Becca Bagazinski; her mother and father-in-law, Brandon and Katie Carlson of Blackshear; two brothers-in-law, Aaden Carlson and Nathan Carlson both of Blackshear; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services for Josie-Tatum will be held Monday afternoon, November 18, 2024, at 3:00 o’clock from the First Baptist Church in Blackshear with Rev. Chris Roberts, Mr. Ethan Carlson, and Miss Ellie Mattox officiating.

Interment will be in the Waters Cemetery.

The family will be receiving friends at Bridge Community Church Sunday evening from 5 until 7 o’clock.

Memorials may be made to Holt’s House of Hope, The Holt Rowland Foundation, 4109 Mulligan Circle, Blackshear, GA  31516 or to Nehemiah Teams, Inc., P.O. Box 242, Mentone, AL, 35984.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.      

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