Mickey L. Matlock

MICKEY L. MATLOCK, 68, has departed this life to eternal reward on Thursday, September 4, 2025.  Public Viewing will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Thomas G. Smith Funeral Home, 14601 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110.  Interment will be private. Please keep the family in your prayers.

On Thursday September 4, 2025, Mickey Lionel Matlock; son, brother, husband, father, fisherman and friend wished us a farewell. Born on December 7, 1956, to Robert and Rosa Lee Matlock in Cleveland, Ohio, Mickey grew up loving to play with his older brother and tormenting his little sisters. From childhood and throughout life, he was known to enjoy sweet treats. This is in part due to his mother’s refined ability to make the best treats and desserts. Pineapple upside down cake, sweet potato pie or an assortment of Christmas cookies from his sister and all was well with his world.

Mickey attended Shaw High School and Lutheran East High School and enlisted in the United States military in 1974 serving this country in the US Army. He received his General Education Diploma in 1976. In 1976 Mickey married the love of his life, Sadie Mae Harrison and they gave birth to two daughters: Evalena and April. The couple shared a love for food and Mickey would make delicious meals for his bride and they shared fancy meals out. Mickey took great pleasure in hanging out with his daughters and was known to cut punishments, weeks short to take them to get a little ice cream or treat at Sandy’s. Mickey later welcomed his son, Daelin, who he adored. He and Daelin shared a love of art and drawing. They also shared a love for McDonald’s. All of his children appreciate his love for good music and family BBQs. “You wanna bring something over to put on the grill?” In his later years, Mickey loved spoiling his granddaughters with treats, Mickey D's, and awesome gifts like their mobile laser tag game.  His daughters found it funny that he always called them by their full names, "Hannah Grace and Harper Joy".  He loved them dearly.  He, like many Clevelanders, was also a die-hard Browns fan, always cheering them on and hoping this would be the year!  We will keep hoping and cheering in his memory.

Mickey loved the outdoors. He was a talented landscaper who brought gorgeous flowers, bushes and trees to life. Mickey used his skills to create beautiful landscapes for his family, community members, and was hired by the Cleveland Metroparks to share his gift. He also LOVED fishing and the peace that sitting on the water afforded him. Mickey’s most significant gift was that he was truly kindhearted and loved his family. He would literally give you his last dollar and often did, even when it was to his own detriment.

Though you would only catch Mickey in a church every ten or so years, he loved and trusted Jesus Christ and would sometimes surprise his kids with a word. Mickey leaves to celebrate his life his mother Rosa Lee Matlock, his wife Sadie Mae, 2 daughters Evalena (Cortez) and April, 1 son Daelin, 2 granddaughters Hannah and Harper, 1 brother Robert (Donna), 4 sisters Linda (Alva), Grace (William) and Lisa (Dave) and Rochelle as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mickey (Dad), we love you, we miss you already and we will continue to honor your legacy of loving people, appreciating the natural beauty that God gave us, and always being ready for a good snack! Your humor and light will shine forever!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (King James Version): Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.