Chester Lee Mathies
March 9, 1937 ~ November 5, 2007
Resided in:
Fairview, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
CHESTER LEE “RAY” MATHIES
Fairview ~ Chester Lee “Ray” Mathies, 70, of Fairview, died unexpectedly on Monday, November 5, 2007.
A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Samuel Walter and Ellie Honeycutt Mathies. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Maxine Morrow and Lillian Cooper.
Ray was retired from Gerber with over 30 years of service.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Joyce Owenby Mathies; two daughters, Sheila Corn and her husband, Lowell of Hendersonville and Theresa Porter and her husband, Allen of Fletcher; one son, Raymond Mathies of Fletcher; one sister, Doris Brackett of Fletcher; one brother, Carl Mathies of Morganton, NC; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00-7:00 PM at the funeral home.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 9, 2007 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Fairview.
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Dear JoJo, Sheila, Theresa & Little Ray,
I’m so sorry for your loss and the loss from our family. We loved Ray very much and will miss him terribly. He always gave unselfishly and was there when anyone needed him. Heaven is so much sweeter with him there and we will see him again one day. Our prayers are with you and we love you all. (Just imagine Ned, Daddy & Ray all in heaven together. Heaven will never be the same!)
Love,
Jamie, Sheila, Ashley, Kevin, Heather & Jacob
To.Everyone
i am really sorry about ray he was the best man and uncel anyone could ever have well i just wanted to say sorry i know he in a better palce with god and we will all seee him one day i just wanted to say i am sorry and that my love go out to all yall if yall need me i am here love mandy mcaninch
To.Everyone
i am really sorry about ray he was the best man and uncel anyone could ever have well i just wanted to say sorry i know he in a better palce with god and we will all seee him one day i just wanted to say i am sorry and that my love go out to all yall if yall need me i am here love mandy mcaninch
To.Everyone
i am really sorry about ray he was the best man and uncel anyone could ever have well i just wanted to say sorry i know he in a better palce with god and we will all seee him one day i just wanted to say i am sorry and that my love go out to all yall if yall need me i am here love mandy mcaninch
We are so sorry. Thank God for making a way to see Chester again. We are praying that the Holy Spirit will comfort you.
I was sorry to hear about Chester he was a good person. He was there when I lost my Mama in July talking to him help me alot. You are in our payers.
Chester was a good friend to me for alot of years.I will miss him.
I really miss you ray i wish you was still here with us but i also know that your in a wonderful place and i know ever time you see soneone crying your probly looking down saying dont cry i’m in a wonderful place and i’m HAPPY where i am well to everyone that know ray i love you and will be praying for everyone because i know how wonderful of a uncl he was to me well love you all love mandy
JoJo, Theresa, Ray and Sheila
I am so sorry for your loss. You guys were almost a part of our family for so long on Justice St. and he was always such a great friend and neighbor. Courtney remembers always calling her Charles and calling that little dog of yours Chester….how funny that was when I heard hear calling the dog one day and realized what she was doing. If you need anything you know we are here for you, we love you and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Tammy Kristen Courtney and Kaeli
Louise
MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME. LOSING SOMEONE WHO MEANT SO MUCH TO SO MANY HAS LEFT SUCH AN EMPTY SPOT IN ALOT OF HEARTS. ‘UNCLE CHESTER’ WAS SUCH A BIG PART OF OUR LIVES AS WE WERE GROWING UP AND FOR THAT I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL. I WILL MISS HIM. LOVE, JOAN LANNING ROBINSON
Joyce and family, God bless you and your family at this time. God is the Great Comforter. You have my deepest sympathy. Love, Jane Hammond
Joyce and family, I’m sorry we can’t be there on Thursday, but we are out of town on vacation this week. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. God bless you. Phyllis
My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Blessings and peace, Betty Nelon Rhodes
JoJo and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ray was such a special person and everyone loved him.This has been such an unexpected loss and a shock. You are all in my thoughts and Prayers constantly. God will get you through this and just remember he nevers puts more on you than you can handle. Joyce- You are my family and I know this is going to be a hard time for you but remember I love you and there are alot of other people that do as well. Just lean on God and your family and if there is anything I can do for you please let me know. You can call me night or day.
Love,
Donna
Joyce
We are so sorry to hear about Ray remember you are in our thoughts and prayers.
mike&vickie
Joyce and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers
Joyce,
I was so shocked to hear about your husband and I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with. I love you Joyce.
Joyce, I am so sorry to hear about the sudden loss of your husband. I truly know how you feel, it happened to me 16 years ago also. My prayers and thoughts are with you and I can truly say that your faith in God and His love for you will sudstain you and get you through this most difficul time to a brighter day. We all love you, you are such a sweet person.God bless you.
Love and prayers,
Irene Martin
Shelia and family,
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow. We love you and your family and will keep you in our prayers. God bless you all and comfort your hearts.
Love,
Bo and Irene Martin
Joyce and family We are so sorry for you loss.Ray a great frind to our whole family.We lived across from Ray and Joyce for 6 years and it is not going to be the same not seeing Ray outside.One of Rays joy was to see Tanner and Taylor standing in our front door waving their little hands at Ray and Ray would wave back with a huge smile on his face.Ray was like a grandfater to myself and brooke.Ray will truly be missed in our family and many more.We are just a phone call away if you or your family needs anything.We Love You Ray and look forward to the happy day when we can rejoice with you.Love always and forever.Allen,Brooke,Tyler,Tanner, Taylor,and Tessa Stewart
Joyce,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I know this is a hard time for you and your family. I will keep you in our prayers. God Bless you. Matthew 5:4(God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.)
Joyce and Family,
I want to say how sorry we are for your loss. Uncle Chester was a great man and friend to our family.
God has taken him home. He will always watch over us. Many have gone before him. He will now be able to see them all again. May God Bless you and your family through the days to come.
Love, Earlene Lanning Guice
Dear Joyce and Family:
Our words cannot express the loss we all feel. Please accept our sympathies. ‘Ray’ was a very special person. No man was more giving and caring to his friends and co-workers.He gave his time and talents to the Gerber Asheville plant to make them #1. He taught our sons to water ski on Lake James, took us fishing and to many football games to watch his beloved Rockets. His quiet, gentlemanly mannerisms rubbed off on all those around him. What he had was available to all. So many of us recall Ray saying, ‘Go ahead, take my van, take my boat, take my tent, whatever you need, it’s yours to use.’ He was a good example for so many to follow.
Our Heavenly Father needed Ray and has called him home. We cannot understand God’s plans. I believe he is waiting for all of us to join him. We will, someday. We all grieve for the loss of Ray. Only faith, family and friends get any of us through such a loss.
Our memories of Ray will always be fond ones. Maybe this thing we call ‘life’ is only a dream. One day, we will awaken and all those that we love and miss so much will be with us for eternity.
Our Love and Prayers go out to you,
Doug,Mary Jo, Bowdie, Simon, Leia and John Isanhart
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF MR MATHIES,,YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.AT THIS TIME..I KNEW HIS FAMILY FROM BURNSVILLE,,,CHERISH HIS MEMORIES THEY ARE FOREVER..
(MOTHER OF TONY PARHAM)
Joyce, We were so sorry to hear about the sudden loss of Ray. We know you and your family will miss him. We have you in our thoughts and prayers.God will comfort you and is by your side always.
Joyce,We are so sorry for your loss,our thoughts and prayers are with you.God has a plan,although we don’t understand.Lean on Him for comfort and guidance.
Sharon Wright
Wayne Dotson
We’ll always remember Chester and cherish his friendship. Our sincere sympathy to Joyce and the family.
Helen, Trip and Linda Andrews
May the good Lord give you comfort in this time of sorrow.
jojo i can not even begin to tell you how much and unky ray mean to me you are always there for me and chelsey and haley you are like a mom to me as unky ray was like my dad .you have always been a big part in my life and you always will. thank you for being so good to me and my girls now we are going to have to be strong togather all of us girls unky ray will missed so much but he will always be with us an in our hearts and prayers i love you my little jojo and i am always here for you no matter what. love tonya (tute)
Dear Joyce,
We were sad to her about ray.Although some of us can’t attend the funeral, know that our thought and prayers are with you.
JoJo, Theresa, Ray and Sheila
I’m so sorry for your loss.Ray made his mark on everyone who knew him.He was a very special friend to me.He will certainly be missed.
JOYCE: WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT RAY. WE WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU OR ANYTHING AT ALL THAT YOU NEED PLEASE LET US KNOW. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
LOVE AND PRAYERS
TONI & RANDY MAHAFFEY & FAMILY
Joyce,
You have precious memories of Ray. Lean on God and these memories to help you through this sad time. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Karen
Joyce, I was so sorry to hear of your husband passing away.My prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Joyce,
Please know that my love and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Love, Diana
Dear Theresa,
The thoughts and prayers of your Cintas friends are with you and your family in this difficult time. God Bless.
Dear Joyce,
How sad to hear you have lost your best friend and great love of your life. I know you are so thankful that you were the chosen one to spend 30 years with such a special man. I am so sorry for your heartache and wish you never had to feel it. I love you and you are in my thoughts and prayers as you face this difficult time. Love, Sherry