Rev. Riley M. Mathias, 85, of Poplar Bluff passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013 at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff.
Rev. Mathias, one of nine children of Carl and Lillie B. Goostree Mathias was born Jan. 2, 1928 near Portland. Tenn.
Entering the ministry in 1951, he received his higher education at Oakland City College in Oakland City, Ind. and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Rev. Mathias served as a pastor for 15 years in General Baptist churches in Indiana and Tennessee. He then became Director of Christian Education for the General Baptist denomination and directed that ministry for 21 years. During these years he was instrumental in the building of the General Baptist World Headquarters and the Stinson Press Publishing House. Apart from his family, Rev. Mathias's greatest love was for God and the General Baptist people. He spent most of his life dedicated to their welfare and advancement.
Becoming active in the business world in 1967, he owned and managed carwash operations, farmland, and commercial real estate. He also started the Beautification of Poplar Bluff Program, which started on 67 south and continued on to the north side interchange area after it was completed.
Rev. Mathias enjoyed traveling, collecting coins and rocks and especially enjoyed visiting with people and having coffee with his friends.
On May 5, 1947, he married Violet L. Simmons in Franklin, Ky. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children: Janet Lee Allen and Timothy Keith Mathias both of Poplar Bluff; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Alice Hirlston of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Rev. Mathias was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Patricia Ray, grandson, Billy Joe Ray, three sisters and five brothers.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Byron Beck officiating and the Rev. Ernie Rogers assisting. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Rev. Mathias, one of nine children of Carl and Lillie B. Goostree Mathias was born Jan. 2, 1928 near Portland. Tenn.
Entering the ministry in 1951, he received his higher education at Oakland City College in Oakland City, Ind. and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Rev. Mathias served as a pastor for 15 years in General Baptist churches in Indiana and Tennessee. He then became Director of Christian Education for the General Baptist denomination and directed that ministry for 21 years. During these years he was instrumental in the building of the General Baptist World Headquarters and the Stinson Press Publishing House. Apart from his family, Rev. Mathias's greatest love was for God and the General Baptist people. He spent most of his life dedicated to their welfare and advancement.
Becoming active in the business world in 1967, he owned and managed carwash operations, farmland, and commercial real estate. He also started the Beautification of Poplar Bluff Program, which started on 67 south and continued on to the north side interchange area after it was completed.
Rev. Mathias enjoyed traveling, collecting coins and rocks and especially enjoyed visiting with people and having coffee with his friends.
On May 5, 1947, he married Violet L. Simmons in Franklin, Ky. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children: Janet Lee Allen and Timothy Keith Mathias both of Poplar Bluff; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Alice Hirlston of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Rev. Mathias was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Patricia Ray, grandson, Billy Joe Ray, three sisters and five brothers.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Byron Beck officiating and the Rev. Ernie Rogers assisting. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Rev. Riley M. Mathias, 85, of Poplar Bluff passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013 at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff.
Rev. Mathias, one of nine children of Carl and Lillie B. Goostree Mathias was born Jan. 2, 1928 near Portland. Tenn.
Entering the ministry in 1951, he received his higher education at Oakland City College in Oakland City, Ind. and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Rev. Mathias served as a pastor for 15 years in General Baptist churches in Indiana and Tennessee. He then became Director of Christian Education for the General Baptist denomination and directed that ministry for 21 years. During these years he was instrumental in the building of the General Baptist World Headquarters and the Stinson Press Publishing House. Apart from his family, Rev. Mathias's greatest love was for God and the General Baptist people. He spent most of his life dedicated to their welfare and advancement.
Becoming active in the business world in 1967, he owned and managed carwash operations, farmland, and commercial real estate. He also started the Beautification of Poplar Bluff Program, which started on 67 south and continued on to the north side interchange area after it was completed.
Rev. Mathias enjoyed traveling, collecting coins and rocks and especially enjoyed visiting with people and having coffee with his friends.
On May 5, 1947, he married Violet L. Simmons in Franklin, Ky. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children: Janet Lee Allen and Timothy Keith Mathias both of Poplar Bluff; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Alice Hirlston of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Rev. Mathias was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Patricia Ray, grandson, Billy Joe Ray, three sisters and five brothers.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Byron Beck officiating and the Rev. Ernie Rogers assisting. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Rev. Mathias, one of nine children of Carl and Lillie B. Goostree Mathias was born Jan. 2, 1928 near Portland. Tenn.
Entering the ministry in 1951, he received his higher education at Oakland City College in Oakland City, Ind. and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Rev. Mathias served as a pastor for 15 years in General Baptist churches in Indiana and Tennessee. He then became Director of Christian Education for the General Baptist denomination and directed that ministry for 21 years. During these years he was instrumental in the building of the General Baptist World Headquarters and the Stinson Press Publishing House. Apart from his family, Rev. Mathias's greatest love was for God and the General Baptist people. He spent most of his life dedicated to their welfare and advancement.
Becoming active in the business world in 1967, he owned and managed carwash operations, farmland, and commercial real estate. He also started the Beautification of Poplar Bluff Program, which started on 67 south and continued on to the north side interchange area after it was completed.
Rev. Mathias enjoyed traveling, collecting coins and rocks and especially enjoyed visiting with people and having coffee with his friends.
On May 5, 1947, he married Violet L. Simmons in Franklin, Ky. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children: Janet Lee Allen and Timothy Keith Mathias both of Poplar Bluff; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Alice Hirlston of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Rev. Mathias was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Patricia Ray, grandson, Billy Joe Ray, three sisters and five brothers.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Byron Beck officiating and the Rev. Ernie Rogers assisting. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
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