As the sun was about to rise on Saturday, April 27, 2013, Jesus reached down and lifted our loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great grandfather to his heavenly home. Mr. Joel Franklin Mathis, Jr., age 88, formerly of Jonesville was born April 24, 1925 in Wilkes County to Joel Franklin, Sr. and Lily Weatherman Mathis. Known to most everyone as Junior, he was a man of all trades. He could fix anything; from hay bailers, chain saws, tractors, cars, and lawn mowers. Junior was widely known for those delicious molasses made from the cane he raised, cut down, and cooked in the cane mill he built by his own hands. Junior loved his time spent sitting outside on the porch or gliding in the sunroom which never got too hot for him. He loved the Lord and read his Bible every day including his faithful reading of each week's Sunday School lesson. As a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Junior was always prepared to receive a blessing. He loved home cooking, and according to Junior, the best was cooked by his devoted and loving wife, Josie. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Mathis and sisters, Opal Jones, Sadie Totten, and Mary Lou Vanhoy. Survivors include: his wife of 69 years, Josephine Shore Mathis of the home; son, James Franklin "Jim" Mathis (Janie) of Atlanta; daughters, Peggy Robbins (Larry) of Kernersville, Linda Adams (Dan) of Yadkinville, and Robin Daye (Jeff) of Salisbury; sister, Edna Mae Wagoner; grandchildren, Brian Mathis, Jolie Sims, Melissa Snell, Michael Galloway, Nicholas Adams, Patrick and Jacob Daye; and nine great grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with Rev. John Attaway and Rev. Phillip Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Building Fund, 1432 US Hwy 21 North, State Road, NC 28676. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Kernersville Medical Center and the staff of Kerner Ridge for their compassion and care.
