Louis Robert Mathis, Sr.

LOUIS ROBERT MATHIS, SR.

On January 24, 2018, the Lord placed a special blessing upon Louis of truly celebrating the full circle of life. Surrounded by family for his 85th birthday, all experienced the wonders of God as they acknowledged Louis’s day of creation and then witnessed the culmination of his life well lived.

Louis was born on January 24, 1933 the eldest of three children to the late Stackley Mathis and the late Daisy Lou (Mathis) Brewer in Sanford, Fl. He is a 1952 graduate of Campbell Street High School, Daytona Beach, Florida where he was an accomplished football player and thespian. He furthered his education at Bethune Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Fl. where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. While there he became a member of the illustrious Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. As a natural leader he served the chapter as President and was an active member after graduation for many years. His love for the brotherhood lead him to become a lifetime member and, though unable to participate in his latter years, he was very proud of his over 60 year membership.

Louis accomplished several firsts in his professional career. He was one of the first African Americans in Florida to be employed as an investigator and interviewer by the Florida State Board of Health. He was specifically trained on venereal diseases. When asked about his professional life he fondly told stories of his high success rate in providing treatment to affected persons and their partners. His personality and genuine interest in their well-being allowed for greater disclose lending to a high treatment rate for which he received accommodations. He completed his time there in the position of Supervisor of Epidemiology in the Venereal Disease section of the Dade County Health Department, Miami, Fl. His next career move began in 1971 when he took on an entirely different role with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an officer in charge of the federal food stamp programs in Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties of Miami, Fl. Again, his successes were rewarded with promotions first as district manager over the State of Florida and several counties in South Georgia, and finally, for the duration of his career, as South Eastern District Manager over several states with the specific title of Chief of the retailer-wholesaler division based in Atlanta, Ga. Louis was only one of four African Americans in the country at that level. Upon retirement Louis returned to Florida to be near his mother and sisters residing the rest of his life in Deltona, Florida.

His children were his proud and joy. Through his union with the late Ozie (Mathis) Pruitt, he had three children, Dr. Persharon M. Dixon, the Late Louis R. Mathis, Jr. and the late Anthony J. Mathis. He led his sons as their Scout leader and attended numerous school activities and as many life events as he could for all three. He prided himself on being an active father and friend.

He leaves to cherish his memory daughter, Persharon (Walter) Dixon of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; two sisters, Gloria L. Lemmons of Port Orange, Florida, Sherry J. Carroll (Ignatius) of Deltona, Florida; grandchildren, Shawn Mathis of Helena, Oklahoma, Erica Mathis of Tampa, Florida, Louis R. Mathis, III of Atlanta, Georgia, Briana Dixon of Brooklyn, New York, Jahmil Dixon of Huntsville, Alabama, Lauren Dixon of Atlanta, Georgia; Great-granddaughter Skye Crawford of Tampa, Florida; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, neighbors and adoring friends.