Obit: Mrs. Robert E. Mathews, 1982, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by John W. Harris, Brooklyn, NY
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(From the 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. Lee 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; 33 great 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 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 leaves us with
many pleasant memories."

(Submitted by John W. Harris, Brooklyn, NY, Jwharris60@aol.com)