Photo courtesy of Wilson Funeral Home - Tampa
May 31, 1953 - Jul 18, 2024
I’m so sorry to hear of my JBU teammates passing. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Michael Elliott
January 28, 2025 | BUENA PARK, CA | Friend
Condolences to the family from the Hopps family. (cousin)
VICTORIA HOPPS
September 12, 2024 | Tampa, FL | Family
During this time of grief, may you find solace in the love and memories you shared with Ricky. His spirit lives on in the lives he touched.
AUNDREKIA Williams
July 27, 2024 | Tampa | Family
I had the pleasure of working with Ernie at the St. Petersburg Police Department and as a member of our Police Olympic Team. He was a consummate gentleman, great athlete and police officer and more importantly, a true Christian. My prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family.
Goliath J. Davis, III, Ph.D
Goliath Davis, III, Ph.D
July 26, 2024 | St Petersburg, FL | Coworker
Our prayer are with the family
Charlie Cook
July 26, 2024 | Quincy, FL | Coworker
Godspeed Ernie, go in peace.
John Gardner, Major (Retired)
July 26, 2024 | St. Petersburg Police Dept., FL | Coworker
Earnest, I am lost for words to express my thoughts at this time. But I can truly say, "Thank you for being my friend." I will miss your greeting, "Hello Bishop," and your parting benediction, "Let the church say Amen."
You have fought a good fight my friend, you have finished your course, so with a heavy heart on this side of Heaven, I will say, Goodnight my friend...But with the joy of reuniting with you in Heaven, I will say, I will see you in the morning."
Presiding Elder Maxwell D. Jackson
July 26, 2024 | TALLAHASSEE, FL | Friend
My Deepest Condolences to the Family.
Love you Always Ricky. Carolyn, Sherman and Sean.
Carolyn Hayes Brown
July 26, 2024 | 112 Savannah Way Milner, GA | Family
The 1971Basketball team that he played on gave me some of the best memories of my high school days Earnest you will missed.
Joe Jones
July 24, 2024 | Brandon, FL | Classmate
A celebration of life service for Mr. Earnest Mathis Jr. will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Refreshing Church, 2506 S. Parson Avenue, Seffner, Florida, with Pastor Apostle Samuel L. Phillips, Sr., and Pastor Victor Ball officiating.
Earnest accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He was an amazing and captivating storyteller; the most interesting thing was that his stories always changed. Earnest was well known for his talent on the basketball court at Middleton High School Tigers #44 and John Brown University #12. After graduating high school, Earnest furthered his education, earning a bachelor’s degree. He later joined the St. Petersburg Police Department and served for 8+ years. He later moved to Tallahassee, FL, and was employed with the State of Florida Department of Corrections as a probation officer for 25 years. He retired in 2013. Earnest moved to Zephyrhills, FL, in 2019 to be closer to his family.
Earnest was preceded in death by his father, Earnest Mathis Sr.; mother, Lonnie Mae English; grandparents, Jessie and Phyllis Mathis; Master D. and Alberta Singleton; David and Isabell Franklin; and siblings, Clarence Bruce Jr. and Catherine Bruce. He leaves to cherish a lifetime of precious memories with his three sons, Timmy McKenny Sr. (Regina) Tennessee, Michael Mathis Sr., Miami and Sir. Rashad Mathis (Annedrea) North Carolina; two bonus daughters, Tanya Miller and Latoya Francis (Asim); nine grandchildren, Timmy McKenney Jr., Lauryn McKenney, Zylen McKenny, Sierra Mathis, Micah Mathis, Michael Mathis Jr. Auris Mathis, Tyrese Adams, and Amir Frances; one great grandchild, D-Anthony McKenney; bonus mother, Jenniette Mathis; five sisters, Everett Mathis Wyche, Phyllis Mathis Baker (Terence), Barbara Taylor, Marva Booker and Debra Bruce; four brothers, Eric Singleton, Kenneth Singleton, Westley Hosey and Ronnie Bruce; one aunt, Hazel Singleton; one uncle, Robert Singleton (Hazel); a host of nieces and nephews; close relatives and friends including, Joe Williams, Billy Simmons, Melvin Stone, Melvin Dill, Mr. Rumbley and a host of other sorrowing relatives and friends.
There will be a viewing on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home. 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida 33605.
“A Wilson Service “
www.wilson-funeralhome.com
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