Mattie Mathis

MOTHER MATHIS' TESTIMONY

Mother Mattie Mathis was born on February 6, 1941, in Brownsville, TN to Richard and Emma Mathis. The third of five siblings, she was affectionately known as "Baby Sister." The family was close and flourished under the love of their matriarch, Emma. There came a point in Emma's life when she began to seek the Lord. God pricked her heart, she gathered herself and her children and they were all baptized in the name of Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:38 in a little creek in Tennessee. God did not stop there. He moved on Emma's heart, and she did not stop until she was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost and her dedication to the Lord's work began. She strived to raised her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. The life that she lived was an example that Mother Mathis would follow.

Mother Mathis received the gift of the Holy Ghost in her early teens. The family remained in Brownsville, TN for a short time then later relocated to Jackson, TN where Mother Mathis graduated from High School. A short time later in the early Sixties, Emma relocated her family to Cambridge, MA where they joined and became members of Antioch Temple Church, under the leadership of Bishop Edward L. Tompkins.

Mother Mathis encountered some bumps along her journey but her love for her God never allowed her heart to stray from him. She had one daughter, and she instilled in her to love God and always put him first. She was a faithful member at Antioch Temple Church, serving on the Tarry Committee, Hospitality Committee, Missionary Board and she sang in the choir until the Lord moved upon her heart that he had a different plan for her life. He showed her a vision of herself crossing an old raggedy bridge and saying, "Where is the Church?" and the song, "Where he Leads Me, I will Follow" playing in the background. The vision ended with the Lord lifting her up and placing her in a green pasture. God led her to Bethlehem Ephratah Deliverance where she joined and became a faithful member until her health limited her. And although limited in her body, her service to the Lord never ceased. However, the struggles with her health never kept her from giving God the Glory. She would often say to the Lord, "Have your way Lord, you know what you are doing."

If you ask any member of Bethlehem Ephratah, what is Mother's favorite song, they will quickly tell you, "COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS." And if you ask any member at Bethlehem Ephratah what is her favorite Psalm, they will not hesitate to tell you, "PSALM 86." Mother would often say to the Lord, "Bow down thine ear, O Lord unto me and hear me for I am poor and needy." That was the sentiment of her heart. Mother loved the Lord and she longed to be with him.

SEE YOU THERE, MOTHER. AMEN.

She leaves to love and cherish her memory, her daughter, Shirley ("Willie"), Niece, Sheila, Nephews, Johnny and Roy, many Great-Nieces and Nephews, Family, Church Family, Neighbors and Friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Richard and Emma, Siblings, Richard, Mary, Aaron, and Leatha, and Niece, Elizabeth Jessica.