Eva Leighton Mathews

Our vibrant, full of life, precious daughter Eva Leighton Mathews passed away unexpectedly on Friday October 6, 2023.

Eva means giver of life, to breathe life, beloved. Eva’s gentle spirit was evident to all who encountered her. In the short time we were allowed to have her, she lived every definition of her name. She was our light and our giver of life. She salted our lives with the most beautiful memories that will sustain us until we all go Home.

Eva was born on October 30, 2006, with family lined up waiting to meet her. Eva was gifted and excelled in academics at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. She loved exploring all the arts and challenging herself artistically and academically. She lived life in color and her presence was big. She loved fiercely and was intentionally always making sure everyone felt loved and included. Eva always carried a sketchbook with her to jot down sketches that came to mind. Eva loved Anime and learning Japanese and Latin. Eva loved to write and aspired to be a screenplay writer. She had big dreams in this world. There was nothing that she couldn’t do.

Eva loved school and often talked about her favorite teacher, Mrs. Samantha Holt. The family would like to express their sincerest thanks to Mrs. Holt and the faculty and staff of Davidson Fine Arts for all they did to love on our girl and ensure she was successful.

Additionally, Eva had some of the greatest friends and close cousins that made her laugh, made her feel loved, and brought so much goodness and value to her life. We want to thank Eli, Xion, Logan, Katie, Sam, Sarah, & Andrew and so many more for loving her so deeply and being her safe place.

Eva leaves behind to cherish her memory parents, Ryan & Alexis, her sisters, McKenna & Juliana, Great Grandparents Sharon Vincent, Scott Place, Grandparents David & Lisa Mathews, Tami & Normand Roy, Denise Mathews, Brenda Mathews, Uncles Brandon Balbag (Ginny), Jared Balbag, Logan Corley (Tabitha), Brandon Dorn (Emily), Michael Mathews (Jessica), Steven White (Maria), loving great aunts and uncles and a host of cousins and family members who loved her deeply.

Waiting to greet her at the Gates of Heaven were her beloved Papa (Jerry Vincent), and Papa (Dean Balbag), Granny (Jeanne Place), Papa Joe (Jose Balbag), Grandma Julie (Juliana Balbag), Granny Joan (Joan Mathews), Grandpa Frank (Frank Mathews), Uncle Brian Dorn, and a host of other family members.

The family would like to thank all the amazing friends and family who have carried them through this unimaginable, heartbreaking loss.

The family requests for everyone to wear color and any fun pattern, not black. Eva lived her life in color and we want to celebrate her life that same way, with every shade of color and pattern that makes you happy. Eva also enjoyed making others feel loved and seen. We would love for you to celebrate her birthday on October 30 with making others feel loved through a random act of kindness.

Contributions in Eva's memory are asked to be made to John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, 615 12^th Street, Augusta, GA 30901 for Mrs. Holt's Coffee Club.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors with Pastor Tony Arrington officiating. Interment will follow at Bellevue Memorial Gardens. Click to view the service Live Stream

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.