Bennie Mathis Sr.

Bennie Mathis, Sr.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith II Timothy 4:7

Early on Tuesday morning, October 24,2023, our Heavenly Father walked around his battlefield and chose one of his faithful soldier for his Army.  A precious one from us is gone, a voice is stilled, and a place is vacant in our home which can never be filled.

Bennie Mathis, Sr. was born on January 31, 1930, in Greenwood County, the son of the late P. C. Mathis and the late Anica Chiles Mathis.  He was the devoted husband to the late Elizabeth Callahan Mathis for 56 years. He retired from the Commissioners of Public Works (Water Department) after 32 years of service.   He was a veteran of the U. S. Army.  He enjoyed gardening and listening to gospel music. His favorite bible scriptures (Proverbs 3: 5-6)   and a few sayings that he instilled in his children such as “Above all get understanding”, “Don’t start what you can’t keep up.”

He was faithful member of the Beulah Baptist Church where he served as Co-Chairman of the Deacon Board, the Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the Senior Choir and Gospel Chorus and the Brotherhood until his health declined.  He was also a dedicated member of the St. Charles Lodge #310 and became a honorary member of the Little Zion Masonic Lodge #629, the Patron for the Order of Eastern Star Electra Chapter #310.  He was a bass guitarist for many years with the Southern Wonders Quartet and travelled immensely throughout the country. He also played his bass guitar regularly during church services.

He was preceded in death by one brother, B.  J. (Estelle) Mathis, seven (7) sisters; Sarah (Arnett) Klugh Minnie Lee (William) Hart, Peggy Turner, Nannie Fisher, Marie Mathis, Susie Mathis, and Dorothy Mathis, one son-in-law, Claude Wright, one grandson, Patrick Klugh.

He leaves to cherish his memories, one son, Bennie, Jr. (Dorothy) Mathis, three daughters, Barbara Wright, Jacqueline Mathis, Barbara (James) Martin, all of Greenwood; two brothers, Howard Mathis; Charles (Matilda) Mathis; one sister Virginia Watson, all of Greenwood; ten (10) grandchildren, Kelsey (Marie) Wright, Jarrett Wright, Shayla Wright, Cory Gaskin, Jessica Mathis, Bennie Mathis, III, Teyanna Mathis, Lisa Klugh, Nigel Martin, one granddaughter reared in the home, Taryn Mathis;  twenty (20) great-grandchildren, two (2) great-great grandchildren;  A special thank you to his exceptional care-givers, Testro (Tez) Johnson and Krystal Curenton and past care-givers Louis Dukes, Peggy Jones, and niece, Rosa Carroll.   Also, special nieces, Linda Marshall and Sandra Burton for their support and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will truly miss him dearly.

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