Deacon Dan Mathis Jr.

Deacon Dan Mathis Jr. of Tampa, who passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 4025 W. Palmetto St., Tampa, Fl 33607, with Pastor A.W. Greene, Officiating. Interment will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell FL.

Deacon Dan Mathis Jr. was born on August 16, 1949, to Dan Sr. and Charlie Mathis. He was educated in Tampa and was a proud graduate of Brandon High School. He proudly served as a Sailor in the United States Navy on board of the USS Tidewater for seven years, achieving the rank of E-3. Upon his Naval retirement, Deacon Mathis began his dutiful career with H.A.R.T where he made many contributions for 38 years.

Deacon Mathis was a humble servant of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, ordained Deacon to which he was the chairman of the board for several years, served as President of Usher Board #2, President of the Male Usher Board, and was a member of the Male Chorus, and Transportation Ministry. He truly enjoyed traveling with loved ones, friends, and family, often times cruising through many peaceful waterways, and visiting some of the most beautiful, picturesque places on God’s earth. Along with his many travels, Deacon Mathis found time in his retirement to engage in his two favorite pastimes, bowling and fishing. You could typically find him in the local bowling alleys where he competed on two teams, or at his favorite fishing holes casting and catching.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Dan Sr. and Charlie Mae Mathis; and sister, Olivian Mathis.

He leaves cherished and fond memories with: his God fearing wife of 25 years, Salithia Mathis; sons, Dan Mathis III (Sharon), Derrick Mathis, Kennardo Mathis (Arlene), Justin Mathis, Ulysses Ponder Jr., and James Street; daughters, Dacia Mathis, Yasia Everett, Destiney Greene (Nikolas), and Veronica Kellum; grandchildren, Dannisha Mathis, Danielle Mathis, Danbrinae Mathis, Destiny Mathis, Gerald Rhoden (Jeanene), Devario Mathis, Kenyon Mathis, Tyrhonda Mathis, McKenzye Mathis, Myzziah Sterling, Jamesha Street, Zamya Monroe, Makaylah Williams, Taraji Ponder, Ulysses Ponder III, Camaron Ponder, Chalil Ponder, Kamara Ponder, Khy’ree Ponder, Kentrell Ponder, Ni’Kylah Greene, Logan Greene, and Peyton Scott; 11 great grandchilderen; siblings, Kathleen Ransom, Betty Gaines (Dave), Lawrence Mathis (Charlotte), Lyndia Mathis-Hills, and Gloria Alexander; mother-in-law, Patricia Watkins; father-in-law, Bobby Drew; brother-in-laws, Elijah Woodard, Brian Watkins (Anny), Darrell Drew, Eric Drew, Marcus Drew, and Marshall Watkins; sister-in-laws, Veronica Kellum, Michelle Watkins, Tonia Biggins, and Ashley Drew; special nephew, Gregory Gaines Sr.; special nieces, Annissia Gaines, Tolana Mathis, and LaVay Gaines; great-nieces, Tynesia Henry (Dwight), Lakeria Gaines-Jefferson (Jamal), and Ayesha Thomas (Chonsse); God-brother, Tommy Fisher; God-sister, Marva Fisher; God-daughter, Daveen Brown; special friends, Roland Hinton and Mike Daniels; First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens Family; and a host of nieces, nephews, along with other sorrowing family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

http://www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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