Obituaries: Frances Ophelia Durham Mathews, 1982, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: January 20, 1982 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

Mrs. Robert E. Mathews Succumbs

Services were conducted on Tuesday, December 29, at Sardis Baptist Church
for Mrs. Robert E. Mathews, of the Sardis Community.  Burial was in the church
cemetery.  She passed away on Sunday, December 27 in Bossier City.

Mrs. Mathews is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Lillie Vickers of Olla, and
Mrs. Olivia Doremire of Bossier City; a brother, Thomas B. Durham, Jr. of
Houston, Texas; 19 grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren.  Preceding
her in death was her husband of 67 years, Robert E. Lee Mathews; a daughter,
Mrs. Nettie England White; two sons, Elmer Mathews and Robert E. Mathews; two
grandsons, Gaston M. England and Glendon Mathews; and a great grandson,
Matthew England.

Conducting the services were Rev. Danny Keyes, Pastor of Sardis Baptist
Church, and Rev. Norris Curry.  Singing a solo was a great-grandson, Mike
Taylor, of Atlanta.  Pallbearers were Richard England, Meredith Mathews, James
Lee Smith, Mike Taylor, Darryl Taylor, and Lee Youngblood.

Mrs. Mathews, known affectionately to all as "Aunt Fannie, was born Frances
Ophelia Durham on January 22, 1882 in Winn Parish, making her only three weeks
short of 100 years old at the time of her death.  Her parents, the late Thomas
B. and Martha Jane Martin Durham, were pioneer settlers in this area.

Active in church and community affairs all her life, this family has made a
remarkable contribution to the area.  Always a person with a kind word and
good deed for those around her, her influence will continue to live on.  As a
niece once described her, "a lovely smiling face, devoted to her family,
pointing the way to all with her integrity, humility, patience, love and
concern for others".  And a granddaughter remarked, "she leave us with many
pleasant memories."