Annie Mathis
Annie Ruth Mathis, 78, of Chattanooga, died on Wednesday, September 23, 2015.
Annie Ruth accepted Christ at an early age. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church where she was an active member of the choir and Mother’s Board until her health declined. As a minster’s wife, Annie Ruth was also a member of the “Minister Wives and Widows Ministry”.
Annie Ruth retired from Chattanooga City Human Services in 1999 where she held various positions during her 20 plus year tenure.
Annie Ruth was involved in her community of Hill City. She was a member of the Hill City Neighborhood Association; she worked at the local voting precinct. Annie Ruth had a passion to advocate for the hearing impaired community, because of the need to support her eldest son, Jeffery, and his family and friends.
Annie Ruth was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence H. Williams Sr.; mother, Lorena Green Williams; husband of 62 years, Rev. Bobby Jack Mathis; children, Barbara and Lloyd Mathis; sister, Betty Jo Williams Fowler; brother, Lawrence H. Williams Jr.; and dear cousin, Leonard H. Green Jr.
Survivors include devoted sons, Jeffery (Imogen) Mathis, Eldridge (Carol) Mathis; loving daughter, Nell (Andre) Willis; grandchildren, Cicily Mathis, Mark Mathis, Brandon Mathis (Nashville), Andra (Valencia) Willis, Jerica Willis, Theodore , Jerome, and Michael (L’Nette) Jackson; eight great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Elder Ernest Mathis of Pacoima, Ca. and Floyd (Diane) Mathis of Chattanooga; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Thornhill, Mary “Liz” Mathis, Mildred (Gatha) Logan, Patricia (Preston) Green, and Barbara Mathis of Detroit, MI.; daughter-in-law, Johnnie Mathis Spence; devoted niece, Shelia Fowler Leath; and host of other nieces, nephews and friends.
A homegoing celebration will be held at noon on Friday, Oct. 2, at Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church, 7463 Pinewood Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421, with Pastor Bobby Hampton officiating and Pastor Mike Lacy as eulogist. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The body will lie in state after noon on Thursday,Oct. 1, and the family will receive friends from 6–7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.