Mattie M. Warlick
Mattie Elizabeth Michael Warlick, 86, of Simpsonville, S.C., wife of Charles “Charlie” Warlick, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 9, 2025, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s.
Born April 13, 1938, in Newland, N.C., Mattie was the daughter of the late Johnny Guy and Margaret Harrill Michael. She graduated from North Carolina Women’s College in Greensboro, N.C., with a degree in elementary education and taught school for several years. She met Charlie on a blind date, and they married in 1961. They were members of Simpsonville United Methodist Church since moving to Simpsonville in 1972.
While raising her family, Mattie developed a passion for running and fitness. In her 40’s she competed in numerous road races and helped create the Simpsonville Women’s Soccer Team. Many of her lifelong friendships developed there. She also volunteered for several years as a coach for the Hillcrest High School girls’ soccer and cross-country teams.
In her 50’s, Mattie took up martial arts, including Karate, Kyudo, and Aikido. She studied American Kenpo Karate for over 10 years and achieved her 1st degree black belt at age 60. She would eventually earn her 2nd degree. She also studied the Japanese art forms of Kyudo and Aikido, which are archery and self-defense, respectively. She cherished the many friendships that she made along the way. Mattie enjoyed hiking and camping, her pets, and had a deep love of coffee.
Of her many roles in life, most important to Mattie were being a devoted wife and mother. She and Charlie were married for over 63 years. Together, they brought 4 children into the world, and from them, 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of her husband, Charlie; her children and their spouses, Michael and Amanda Warlick, Sara and Morgan Washick, Barbara and Michael MacLeod, and David and Leslie Warlick; her grandchildren and their spouses, Benjamin and his wife Krysta, William, Matthew, Samuel, Erika, Elias and Emilia, Stephen and his wife Kelly, Cameron, Ryan and his wife Mary Lynn, Mattie, Douglas, Emma and Charles; and great-grandchildren Masen, Tucker, Lilah, Judah, Abel and Ivy. She also enjoyed being Aunt Mattie to her only niece, Beth and her husband Jim.
In addition to her parents, Mattie was preceded in death by her brothers Robert Michael and his wife Lillian, and her brother William Michael.
The family thanks the kind and compassionate caregivers, nurses, and doctors at The Springs at Simpsonville and Fountain Inn Post Acute, who loved Mattie so well.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Cannon-Byrd Funeral Home- Simpsonville; 313 N. Main St., Simpsonville, SC 29681.
The family will receive friend starting at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mattie’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association or American Cancer Society, or to a charity of one’s choice. Mattie will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.
