Joseph Mattingly Wathen, 90 of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on April 6, 2012 in at Washington Hospital Center surrounded by his family. Born May 9, 1921 in Morganza, MD he was the son of the late Ignatius Truman and Mary Genevieve Mattingly Wathen.

He is the loving husband of Shirley Ann Wathen.

Mr. Wathen is survived by his children; Carole Presgrave (Kenny), Darlene White, Rose Long (David) all of Mechanicsville, MD, and Carla Bowles (Freddie) of Hollywood, MD. He is also survived by his siblings; Elizabeth Tippitt of Leonardtown, MD, Phyllis Leymiester of Hollywood, MD, Jeanne Hammett-Martin (John) of Huntingtown, MD. 8 grandchildren; Tammy Hill, William M. White, III, Crystal Gisriel, Lisa Long, Freddie Bowles, III, Joseph Bowles, Michael Long, and Shannon Bowles, 5 great-grandchildren; Ross white, Ashley King, Patrick Hill, Gracie Bowles, and Jackson Long.

In addition to his parents Mr. Wathen was preceded in death by his siblings; Imelda Johnson, John Wathen, Frank Wathen, Mary Genevieve Arban, Ignatius Truman Wathen, II, McGuire Wathen, and James Wathen.

Mr. Wathen graduated from Margaret Brent high school; he worked for Leonardtown Laundry for 23 years, then SMECO from 1973 until his retirement on May 30, 1986. Mr. Wathen loved to watch NASCAR racing, football, dancing, telling jokes, and listening to music and spending time with his loving wife of 58 years, his 4 girls, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his many nieces and nephews, he was also looking forward to the birth of his new great-grandson this year.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.