Gary Lynn Mathews, 71 years old of Independence, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was born on Friday, September 6, 1946, in Alto, Texas to John Willis Mathews and Clara Mathews Harlow. Gary enjoyed life and loved to study the Bible, preaching (41 years) and teaching, Texas Aggie football, computers, playing the saxophone and spending time with his family, but he especially loved and adored his granddaughter, she was the apple of his eye.
Gary is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elsie Ruth Downey Mathews, his daughter, Hazel "Janel" Mathews Marcus and her husband Christopher, his granddaughter, Makenna Renee’ Mathews, his sisters, Joyce Pipkin and her husband Eldon and Patty Mathews and his brother, John Mathews.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, John Willis Mathews and Clara Marie Harlow.
A Visitation for Gary will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond. A Funeral Service Celebrating Gary's Life will immediately follow visitation at 11:00am in the funeral home. Interment will be held on Monday, April 30, 2018, 12:00pm at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, Louisiana. Pallbearers are Christopher Marcus, Gabriel Ruiz, Billy Downey, Dwane Downey, Charles Greenlee, and Jerry Bradley. Honorary Pallbearers are Bernie Dufour, C. S. Hamilton and James Boyd.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes all memorial donations be made to the South Baton Rouge Church of Christ Mission Fund, 8725 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 in Gary's memory.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond.
Gary's guest book can be viewed on www.harrymckneely.com.
