Johnny Mathis Sr.

Rev. Johnny Mathis, Sr., 70, of Jesup, Ga. passed away on March 09, 2023 at Emory University Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born on November 05, 1952 in Jacksonville, Fl. and later relocated to Jesup, Ga. where he received his primary education and graduated from Wayne County High School in the Class of 1972. While in school Johnny was a member of the ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps.) To further his education, he also attended Brewton Parker College where he studied Psychology and later he enrolled at Okefenokee Technical School where he studied to become an certified electrician. Johnny was a former employee of Wayne County Department of Transportation for several years. He worked as a salesman with Amway Products. He was co-founder of We Care Puppett Ministries that traveled across the United States spreading inspirational messages and the love of Christ. He retired after approximately 41 years at Rayonier as an electrician. He was always looking to expand his knowledge and used his talents to help himself and others.
Rev. Mathis came into the ministry at an early age of 17 and brought to the many organizations that he was involved in many contributions. His gifts made room for him in a way that many were not aware of. He served as Pastor at the Church of God in Unity, Kingsland, Ga. where he established the YPD (Young People and Children Division), he built St. Luke AME Church on St. Simon Island and had been an essential and key representative in the AME Denomination for 45 plus years. Rev. Mathis played many intricate roles as the President of the 100 Black Men Coalition, Habitat for Humanity (building and refurbishing houses in the community) and the 100 Black Men in Southeast Georgia.
Aside from praising the Lord, Rev. Mathis was an avid cook, fisherman, golfer and loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by both parents, Lee and Leola Deloach Mathis; a brother, Roosevelt Williams and a sister, Min. Jessie Lee Holsey.
Those left to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 21 years, Presiding Elder Catherine Mathis, Jesup, Ga.; two daughters, Natasha (Theotis) Washington, Columbia, SC and Trinda (Lee) Davis, Tallahassee, Fl.; four sons, Johnny Mathis, Jr., Casey Gore, Ryan Gore all of Jesup, Ga. and Tyler Newsome of Warner Robins, Ga.; aside from raising these children, he was instrumental in parenting six other children (Danielle, Cary, Shawn, Rodrick, Brian, and Jarvis); one sister, Carrie Ivey, Kville, Ga.; two bothers, Charles (Ruth) Mathis, Jesup, Ga. and Frank Mathis of Kville, Ga.; his mother in-law, Myra Ford, Jesup, Ga.; his sisters in-law, Karen (Rogers) Fletcher, Douglas, Ga., Carolyn Caldwell, Jacksonville, Fl. and Patsey Schriber of St. Marys, Ga.; his brother in-law, Quinton McGriff of Atlanta, Ga.(10) grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends who will miss him immensely.
There will be a visitation held at Royal Funeral Home Chapel, 247 W. Pine Street, Jesup, Ga, 31545 on Friday, March 17, 2023 from 5-7 p.m.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (remains will lie in state from 1pm until the time of service) at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church, 401 W. Pine Street, Jesup, Ga, 31545
Services will be live streamed thru our website: royalfuneralhomeinc.com
Interment will be in Sunset Oaks Memorial Cemetery, 1580 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, Ga. 31545