Nathaniel Dewitt “Buddy” Mathis, age 86, of Marianna died Monday Dec. 5, 2022 at Marianna Health and Rehab.
Buddy was born in Malone, Florida and lived his entire life in Jackson County. He worked at Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys for 41 years. Prior to health problems, he loved to work on the farm with his brother, Daryl and his son, Ron. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He knew the upper Chipola River like his backyard and loved fishing in the Strickland Pond. It was said that a deer would walk out of his way to pass in front of Buddy. More than anything, he loved his family and doing things for them and with them. When his granddaughters were young, they enjoyed date nights with Granddaddy.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Neel Mathis; his parents, Lathan and Maggie Mathis; sisters, Barbara Dent and Ruth Hyers.
Buddy is survived by his son, Ronald D. Mathis and wife, Deborah of Marianna; granddaughters, Maggie Cox and husband, Jeremy of Birmingham, AL, Sarah Mathis (Lucas Mayo) of Marianna; brother and sister-in-law, Daryl and Sallie Mathis of Marianna; brother-in-law, Curtis Hyers of Jacksonville; sisters, Merie Vaughn, Faye Crews and husband, Sam of Jacksonville; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and John King of Bascom. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Mathis and Avery Cox of Birmingham; one niece and five nephews.
Graveside services will be 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with Rev. Ronnie Wright officiating and James &. Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel prior to the service, Thursday, December 8, 2022.
Expressions of sympathy may be made online at www.jamesandsikes.com
Just read the obituary for Buddy Mathis. I worked at Dozier School for Boys along with him for 32 plus years. He was such a quiet and kind man. When we would interact he was very quick to respond..R[P Buddy. My sincere Condolences to his family