The Honorable Sammy Davis Mathis

Sammy M A Y O R O F S A L E C I T Y, G E O R G I A

Graveside Service

Saturday, June 20, 2020 1:00 p.m.

Sale City Cemetery

Mallard Road, Sale City, Georgia Bishop James Turner, Officiant

OB IT UA RY

Life Story of Honorable Sammy Mathis Mr. Sammy Mathis was born to Freddie Mathis and Daisy Lee Mathis on May 26, 1963, in Camilla, Georgia. He attended the Mitchell County School System.

Mayor Mathis accepted CHRIST at an early age and joined the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

During his years of membership, he exemplified his dedication and commitment to Christ by serving as a Deacon, member of the Senior Choir and Usher Board and Past President of the Laymen’s Department of the Moultrie Union Meeting. He mentored several young men from the church taking them on monthly outings and taught them how to conduct themselves as young men. He was also a volunteer with the Sale City Youth Summer Program.

Brother Sammy was a member of Sale City Masonic Lodge #267, serving as Jr. Deacon and Assistant Chaplin.

He was preceded in death by his parents Freddie Mathis and Daisy Lee Mathis; two sisters, Anotonia Mathis and Daisey Green; three brothers, David Mathis, Norman Mathis and Andrew Mathis.

Brother Sammy was the first black elected Mayor of Sale City, Georgia, being elected March 15, 2011.

His term would have ended December 31, 2021. Brother Sammy devoted his service representing his town. He was loved by the residents of Sale City and everywhere he went he talked about Sale City and the loving citizens.

Brother Sammy served many years as a City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem. He was a volunteer with the Sale City Meals for Seniors and various other outreach projects in the community of Sale City, Georgia.

He departed this life on Sunday, June 14, 2020, at his residence.

He is survived by a fiancée Tina Wakefield; a loving and devoted father and grandfather who was immensely proud of his children’s accomplishments, son, Demario Sawyer, Sr. of Columbia, South Carolina; daughter, Takevia Sawyer of Thomasville, Georgia; four grandchildren, DeMaya Sawyer, Demario Sawyer, Jr., DeMarion Sawyer, Johnta Smith of Thomasville, Georgia; one brother, Freddy Mathis of Douglasville, Georgia; six sisters, Johnnie (Nathaniel) Guyton of Sale City, Georgia, Gloria (Willie D.) Bryant of Sale City, Georgia, Gladys Donerlson of Columbus, Georgia, Gwennett (Calvin) Turner of Ruckersville, Virginia, Brenda (Joseph) Sessions of Sale City, Georgia, Carol Mathis of Sale City, Georgia; a sister-in-law, Rose Mathis of Meigs, Georgia; two stepsons, Steddrick Wakefield and Theron Wakefield of Albany, Georgia; a very special friend, Dewayne Burley of Camilla, Georgia; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a city that he cherished dearly.

“I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey.”

ORDER OF SERVICE

Life Celebration of Honorable Sammy Mathis The Transfer Saxophone Tribute Cortege to Sale City Cemetery

Processional..........................................................................Led by Ministers Old Testament Scripture Reading...................................Reverend Ollie Petty New Testament Scripture Reading.............................Reverend Corey Currey Invocation.........................................................................Bishop Arthur West Selection................................................Ms. Dottie Peoples, Recording Artist Reflections.........................................Mr. Dewayne Burley, Masonic Brother Resolutions...................................................Mr. Josh Davis, Mayor Pro-Tem Reading...........................................................Ms. Takevia Sawyer, Daughter Eulogy............................................................................Bishop James Turner, Pastor of Hickory Avenue Church of God Sanford, Florida Selection............................................................................Ms. Dottie Peoples Acknowledgements/Presentation................................Robert Jester Mortuary Musical Selection.......................................Mr. Taufeeq’ Wright, Saxophonist Dove Release........................................................................................Family Recessional...........................................................................Led by Ministers ********

The Committal Service

Sale City Cemetery Mallard Road Sale City, Georgia Reverend W. C. Whitfield, Pastor Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church Sale City, Georgia The Committal The Closing Prayer The Benediction Final Announcements..................................................Robert Jester Mortuary Masonic Rites.................................................Sale City Masonic Lodge #267

LOVING TRIBUTES

HonoringHonorable Sammy Mathis Sammy….

If I could have only one more day, only one more….

I would look you in your eyes and tell you that I love you I would thank you for loving me unconditionally….

I would thank you for helping me to be the person that I am today….

If I could have only one more day…

I pray that heaven is everything you dreamt it to be, I thank God that you are free of pain and have met up with your loved ones.

And I pray you have heard every word I have said…

To my Darling Sammy Davis Mathis I will love you forever, so good bye for now my love until we meet again.

Yours truly, “Tina Faye” ________________________________ December 2, 2019 Dear Granddad Sammy, You are such an amazing person! You have been a great grandfather to me for my whole life. You always try to keep me focused and on the right road in life. You are fighting cancer daily, but you remain to be strong and keep your head high for our family. You are an amazing Mayor, and a really hard worker. You always call or text me to see if I’m okay, or if I need anything. I have enjoyed the many times that we have traveled together, and all the times spent together with you over the breaks from school. You give the best advice; I learn something new every time I talk to you.

Thank you for everything you’ve taught me throughout these 13 years of living. Thank you for pushing me to be better when I wanted to give up on school and life. Thank you for all the gifts that you have bought me for holidays and the random money that you give me. Thank you for being an inspiration. Lastly, THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST GRANDFATHER EVER! I love you so much and continue being the best you that you can be.

Sincerely, Maya ________________________________ We cannot say and will not say that he is dead, he is just away. With a cheery smile and a wave of hand he has wandered into an unknown land; And left us dreaming how very fair its needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you-oh you, who the wildest yearn. From the old-time step and the glad return- think of him faring on, as dear. In the love of there, as the love of here, think of him still the same way, I say; He is not dead, he is just away.

TO MY DEAREST FAMILY, some things I’d like to say.

But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.

I’m writing this from heaven.

Here I dwell with God above.

Here, there’s no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I am out of sight.

Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.

God picked me up and hugged me and He said, “I welcome you.

Its good to have you back again, You were missed while you were gone.

As for your dearest family, They’ll be here later on.

I need you here so badly, you are part of my plan.

There is so much that we can do, to help our mortal man”.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.

And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight.

God and I are closest to you….in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.

Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.

Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.

But if I were to tell you, you wouldn’t understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.

I’m closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy and Id like it for you too; That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who is in sorrow and pain; Then you can say to God at night….My day was not in vain.

And now I am contented… that my life was worthwhile.

Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low; Just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go.

When you’re walking down the street and you’ve got me on your mind; I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when its time for you to go…from that body to be free.

Remember you’re not going…you’re coming here to me.

Flower Attendants

Friends from Sale City, Georgia

Pallbearers

Sale City Masonic Lodge #267

A Note Of Thanks

The flowers you sent this day, the card you mailed along the way, The service you stopped by to render, the gift you brought with thoughts so tender.

The prayers you said which played a part in easing the pain that was in our hearts.

Each helped us find the strength to bear the loss of the one so dear.

It was to us a great comfort indeed to see you in time of sorrow and need.

So from our hears which you tried to mend, we thank you sincerely again and again.

107 Lincoln Street • Camilla, Georgia 31730 229.336.8453 www.robertjestermortuary.com We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the trust you have placed upon us during the homegoing service of your loved one. Our fondest hope is that all measures of assistance rendered your family have been completed in detail. For all your confidence placed in me and my staff, “we will forever be grateful.”

William M. Carroll, Director

Designs by Martin Company 678.849.8548 | www.martincompanyonline.com