David T. Mathews, 71

David T. "Matty" Mathews, 71 of Friendship, died Wednesday July 11, 2007 at Southern Ohio Medical Center. He was born September 9, 1935 in Otway to the late Andrew and Pearl Pennington Mathews. He was retired from Detroit Steel where he was a brick mason, he was a Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict, a member of South Portsmouth Church of God, Rome Masonic Lodge #535, Nile over 55 Club and was a member of Nile Township Fire Dept. for 30 years.

David is survived by his wife Joyce Shaw Mathews who he married on September 10, 1953, 1 son David T. (Sherry) Mathews II of Portsmouth, 2 daughters; Tereasa Collins of Sciotoville and Brenda Haynes of West Portsmouth, 2 brothers; Walter Mathews of McDermott and Leroy Mathews of Fl., 10 grandchildren; Deanna (James Wallace) Collins, Bethany (Kris) Irwin, Scott (Jocelyn) Bentley, Ashley Bentley, Cassie Mathews, Davy Mathews, Chandelle Mathews, Lori Haynes, Crystal Haynes and Brian Haynes, 7 great-grandchildren; Kaylee Collins-McBee, Damien Wallace, Amber Bentley, Brayden Bentley, Mekhi Faturiyele, Akinola Faturiyele Jr. and Zachery Haynes, extended family; Sam and Pam Kessinger, Brian and Frannie Kessinger, Carrie and JB Berry, Nick, Gabby and Bryson Kessinger and Josie Berry. David was also preceded in death by 4 brothers; Charles, Bernard, William and Andrew, 5 sisters; Lillian, Leona, Ollie, Allie and Ortie, a granddaughter Terasita Collins and a son-in-law Ross Haynes.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Saturday July 14, 2007 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Reverend James Brandenburg officiating and interment in McKendree Cemetery. There will be graveside military rites by James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8:00 PM on Friday and 1 hour before the service on Saturday. Masonic services will be held at the funeral home at 8PM on Friday by Rome Masonic Lodge. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com