Delma Ray Mathews

Delma Ray Mathews of Napier Field passed away February 1, 2009 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center following a brief illness. He was 73.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at Wicksburg Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Tracy Hobbs officiating and Robert Byrd directing. Burial will follow in the Wicksburg Assembly of God Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Sunset Memorial Park on Tuesday, February 3rd from 5 to 7 p.m.

Mr. Mathews was born August 21, 1935 in Dale County and was a graduate of Dale County High School in 1953. He was a member of Mt. Zion Assembly of God Church in Grimes. He was an accomplished and gifted musician and played at church and with several different gospel groups at local functions and nursing homes. He spent his life in Napier Field, working for Dolly Madison until his retirement.

Mr. Mathews was preceded in death by his father, Fletcher Mathews; mother, Vera Mathews-Adkins and step-father, William T. Adkins.

Survivors include his wife Chappell Phillips Mathews of Napier Field; 4 sons, Johnny Jan Mathews, Alford, FL., Dennis Ray Brenda Mathews of Goshen, Danny Dean Cunningham of Midland City, Tony Robin Ellenburg of Geneva; 3 daughters, Penny Chuck Westrick of Enterprise, Rebecca Ellenburg of Geneva, Gloria Tony Williams of Black; 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Harley Westrick, Cole Ellenburg, Daimen Ellenburg, Dillon Holland, Larry Katz and Jeremy Mathews.