Cory Hunter Mathis

Cory Hunter Mathis passed away suddenly at twenty-nine years of age on Thursday, February 20, 2025, after a long battle with Addison’s Disease. He was born a healthy, beautiful baby boy in West Palm Beach, Florida to Don and Pam Mathis adding a brother and best friend to a nine-year-old Kevin Mathis.

Cory’s witty, sharp mind was as bright as his smile. Whether it was reciting sports statistics, reading a book, or talking about climate change and weather patterns, he was always learning and expanding his knowledge of all things. Cory was a tech wizard with a brilliant, curious, nature-loving mind who was playful yet competitive, especially when playing trivia and board games with his brother.

When Cory was diagnosed at just sixteen years old, he researched everything he could about Addison’s Disease. He didn’t let the disease get the best of him but instead tried to understand everything he could. Cory knew his life had been changed forever but even so; he persevered. In the first of many obstacles, Cory was told he couldn’t finish the international baccalaureate program at William T. Dwyer High School. Not only did he finish the program, but he flourished in the face of adversity and shook hands with the people who doubted him as he crossed the graduation stage.

Cory also had an unwavering mission to help make this planet a better place. He was a proud alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh and East Tennessee State University with big dreams for the future. He had planned to one day return to Pittsburgh, work for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and eventually travel his way through the cultures of this earthly realm. He wanted to become a better human being and truly understand what the world needed most.

More than anything, Cory loved his family and his rescue pup Stella. Stella was named after the lake in Great Basin National Park and was always by his side. Whether Cory was playing video games with his brother, watching soccer with his dad, or making his mother watch quirky sci-fi shows, Stella was always there with Cory. He looked for a companion for a long time and when he found Stella, he was certain he found his baby.

Cory loved visiting the national parks and aspired to one day see them all. His last trip was in November 2024 where he traveled out west with his parents. Cory knew he wanted to see as many National Parks as he could on that trip, especially the ones his brother had not been to yet. Cory got to see the beautiful high desert rocks of Canyonlands National Park, the picture-perfect skies over Deadhorse State Park, and the geological formations at Arches National Park in Utah. They also made their way to Colorado where Cory got to see the steep cliffs of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and the alpine lakes and rugged mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park. He got to visit the ballpark where the Colorado Rockies play and relax in the famous hot springs at Glenwood Springs. Eating great food and enjoying some of nature’s wonders with his parents were a few of the things he loved to do.

In Cory’s honor, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Cory’s name to the Greene County Humane Society, P.O. Box 792, Greeneville, TN 37744 where he found Stella, or to ongoing research with the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation (NADF), P.O. Box 95149, Newton, MA 02495.

Unfortunately, a cure has yet to be found and advancements regarding Addison’s Disease are few and far between.

Cory is survived by his loving parents, Don and Pam Mathis, his brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Ariana Mathis, his beloved fur baby Stella along with his immediate fur family, Barkley, Harlow, and Kayla.

In addition, he leaves behind an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins: LuAnn Mathis; Carolyn and Roy Healea; Mike and Sherry Casteel; Aubrey Casteel; Daryl, Rose, Aiden, and Julia Healea; Jennifer, Mike, Ella, and Cam Terlizzi; Susan Casteel; Madison Howell and Caleb Morgan; Chris Casteel; Brant, Kelly, Brantley, and Braxton Chipley; Jared, Hayden, and Hudson Chipley; April and baby Cameron Wehle; and Dawn Adams and family.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, John and Blanche Mathis; maternal grandparents, Mason and Imogene Casteel; Uncle Jack Mathis; and Aunt Judy Casteel.

Along with family, Cory’s memory will forever live on with many William T. Dwyer High School, University of Pittsburgh, and East Tennessee State University friends.

Private service with family and close friends will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Friday March 7, 2025 at 3pm. Again, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society or the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation in Cory's honor. 

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.