She was born to Leffie and Bertha Fink on September 17, 1926 in Ghent, West Virginia. She grew up in Ghent and in 1944 graduated from Shady Spring High School where she had the lead roles in several class plays and was captain of the basketball team. She then went on to graduate in 1945 with a degree in Advanced Secretarial Science as well as some other miscellaneous college courses.
After college, she went into the workforce and after her marriage to James Mathis on May 18, 1952 she worked for the U.S. Department of Labor and after 25 years of service retired on December 31, 1989 which allowed her to see her grandchildren grow up. She was a member of NARFE and was active in leadership roles. Since 1970, she also was very active in her church, Fielder Church, as a Sunday School teacher for many years and also worked in the nursery as well as many other volunteer roles throughout the years. She also volunteered many years at Mission Arlington and Metroplex Women's Clinic and even volunteered for Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Mansfield. She was a strong Christian woman that believed in service to glorify God.
She loved to read novels and always read her bible every night before bed. She loved to cook for all the family gatherings and just to be with family and friends socializing.
Arline is survived by:
Children: Cheri Mathis Nichols (daughter) & husband Bob of Ormand Beach, FL; Larry Mathis (son) & wife Patti of Arlington, TX; Dean Mathis (son) of Arlington, TX; Ann Mathis Forkner (daughter) & husband Ken of Mansfield, TX;
Grand Children: Lisa Nichols & husband Saeed; Marc Nichols; Kassi Mehler & husband Kevin; Justin Forkner & wife Audrey; Travis Forkner; Preston Mathis & wife Bianca; Lauren Forkner; Caitlin Mathis and Hanna Mathis.
Great (& Great Great) Grand Children: Sarah AlMazrouei & husband Abdulla AlMazrouei (and children: Zayed & Saif); Layla AlMazrouei & husband Hasan AlRedaini; Ibrahim AlMazrouei; and Bentley & Bayley Mehler.
Arline was preceded in death by: James (Jim) W. Mathis, the father of her children; Judy Mathis Roop, daughter; her parents, Leffie & Bertha Fink and several of her siblings.
Her memorial service will be at the Moore Funeral Home on Davis Street in Arlington at 10 am on August 18th, 2018. There will also be a family visitation and viewing from 9-10:00 am.
Flowers are welcome or you may donate in her name to Mission Arlington, The Metroplex Women's Clinic, or Fielder Church.
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