Hugh Mathis

1925 - 2022

Hugh Don Mathis, age 96, of Rome, passed away Monday, April 11, 2022. Mr. Mathis was born on July 3, 1925, in Floyd County, Georgia, and grew up working on the family farm. He graduated from Rome High School and attended business school following graduation. Mr. Mathis served in the U.S. Navy during World War II where he kept flight logs for pilots, including the actor, Robert Taylor. Mr. Mathis worked for both the Celanese and Lockheed Corporations and retired from the Youth Development Center. He grew up attending Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church and sang in the church choir for over 60 years. Mr. Mathis served in various church capacities over the years including treasurer and deacon. He also worked as the temporary church custodian for over 40 years. While working at Celanese, Mr. Mathis met Julia Broom and they were married on June 10, 1950. In his spare time, he enjoyed following the Braves, playing with great-grandchildren, yard work and was a jack-of-all-trades fixing anything.

Mr. Mathis was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Warren (Sun) and Corrine Pace Mathis, brothers Joe Rob, Pat, and Sonny Mathis. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Julia Broom Mathis, daughter Felicia Mathis Couch (Ray), grandchildren Jay Couch and Julie Couch Winstead (Seth) and great-grandchildren Addilyn Couch, Jack, Nate, Sawyer, and Rhys Winstead and many beloved family members and friends. The family would also like to thank Mr. Mathis' caregiver, Mary Alice Ray.

Services will be held at Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Philip A. May, officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Charitable contributions in memory of Mr. Mathis can be made to the Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church Heritage Fund, the Georgia Baptist Children's home or The Living Vine, Savannah, GA.