Vernon Mathis

Published 11:47 am Monday, January 4, 2021

Vernon Mathis

January 1, 2021

Vernon Mathis, 71, of Brinson, Ga., passed away Friday, January 1, 2021.

Vernon’s family will host a memorial gathering on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 6 p.m. at 872 Yates Spring Road, Brinson, Ga.. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Vernon Mathis was born January 23, 1949 in Donalsonville, Ga., the son of George Washington and Eliza Merritt Mathis. He married Ann Parker in 1984 and they made their home in Mulberry, Fla. before returning to Southwest Georgia in 1986. Vernon was a retired diesel mechanic and Baptist by faith.

Vernon never met a stranger and was happiest when his home was full of friends and family. His family always came first and grandchildren playing in the house and backyard was music to his ears. Vernon loved fishing on Spring Creek almost as much as the fish fry that followed. On rainy days Vernon could be found in his shop honing the edges of his favorite knives.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Ann Mathis; his children, Micheal Mathis and his wife, Amanda, Regina Harris, Michael Ross, Brian Ross and Cathy Helms all of Bainbridge, Ga.; his siblings, Thomas Harlow and his wife, Carisa, of Florida, Wylene Warren of Colquitt, Ga. and Eloise Brown of St. Augustine, Fla.; his grandchildren, Cara, Amanda, Jesse, Calee, Aaron, Priscilla, Emily, Rebecca, Joey, Caleb, Dallas, Cash, Braylen, Bryson and Bree; his great-grandchildren, Jacob, Mariah, Drake, Jaxon, Gabriel, Teagan, AJ and Ayden. In addition to his parents, Vernon was preceded in death by his siblings, Dorothy Ingram, Buddy Mathis, Grady Mathis, Melton Mathis, Doug Mathis, James Mathis, Lorene Brown, Robert Mathis, Baby Doll Mathis, Nadene Jones, Raymond Mathis and George Junior Mathis; two sons, Joey Lynwood Mathis and Douglas Edward