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Dr. Roy Chapman Mathews, 44, of Bainbridge, Ga., passed away Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

At the request of the Decatur County Board of Education, the memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Bainbridge High School Gymnasium, with Rev. Stephen Webb and Rev. John Wooden officiating.  A private interment will be held at Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dr. Roy C. Mathews Scholarship, Bainbridge High School, 1 Bearcat Boulevard, Bainbridge, Ga. 39819, or Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Jerry Jones, 4160 Thomasville Road, Climax, Ga. 39834.

Roy Chapman Mathews, Jr. was born March 10, 1977, in Douglas, Ga., the son of Roy Chapman Mathews, Sr. and Betty Coffee Mathews. He was a graduate of Coffee County High School, Valdosta State University, Albany State University, and Nova Southeastern University. Roy moved to Bainbridge to teach social studies and coach a little ball and a few wrestlers in the early 2000s. Little did he know how his story would unfold. He married Brittney Brock in 2003 and they did their part to contribute to Bearcat Nation. Roy was a member of First Presbyterian Church.

Roy was that all around good guy who lived “faith, family, and football”. He was a coach at heart, and spent his career coaching athletes, students, and staff in the ultimate game of life. When his hands came together while talking, well, you just knew it was serious. He loved every thing about Bainbridge High School and Bearcat Athletics. Florida State was his college team of choice and he modeled himself after Bobby Bowden. He spent every moment he could on the river pulling the girls on a tube. He would always say, “I’ll pull you. I have a bad ankle and probably don’t need to get on that.” You could see his smile a mile away as they squealed. Roy enjoyed grilling and eating steak, but not more than Sunday dinner at “Miss Robbie’s”. He always wanted people to “do right” and made sure you knew “the choice is yours”.

Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Brittney Brock Mathews; his daughters, Ramsey & Carlee; his mother, Betty Brantley of Douglas, Ga.; his other mama & daddy, James & Robbie Brock; his siblings, Leslie & Stacey Teston of Douglas, and Kelli & Tru Dickson of Bainbridge; and his nieces and nephews, Cade, Morgan, Allee Grace, and Brock. Roy was preceded in death by his father, Roy Chapman Mathews, Sr.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)