Obituary of Jesse Lewis Mathews

Jesse Lewis Mathews, 92, of Montgomery, Alabama passed away Monday, June 15, 2015. He was born on February 11, 1923 in Wedowee, Alabama. He graduated from Randolph County High School then attended Howard College until he joined the Navy in preparation for serving during WWII. Upon the war’s end and discharge he graduated from the University of Alabama as a recreation major and member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He began his career in public education in 1948 as a teacher and coach at Baldwin Junior High School in Montgomery, Alabama where he met and married Julianne Ballard. In 1951 they moved to Anniston, Alabama where they started their family and he began his career as Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. He began working as a civilian in the Air Force in Sumter, South Carolina. After earning his Master’s degree from New York University, he continued to work in recreation and education administration in Warner Robbins, GA, Wiesbaden, Germany, and Montgomery, AL until his retirement in 1988. Community service began early in his life as an Eagle Scout and the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. He went on to become president of the Anniston Jaycees and was active in the Alabama, Georgia, Southern District, and European Recreation and Parks Societies. He served on the board of the South Carolina Recreation Society, Civil Service Board of Examiners for Recreation Specialists and Montgomery Youth Services. For years he was active in every facet of the Exchange Club, serving as local, district and state president and director. He was instrumental in forming the Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and served as a board member. In 1990 he served as president of the Alabama Council for Parenting and Protecting Children. Awards included Outstanding Civilian Service Award, US Air Force and the Outstanding Exchangite for Montgomery, Alabama and the southeastern district. He earned the Curtis LeMay Trophy for Best Air Force Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program in Europe. He was an executive fellow in the Armed Forces Recreation Society. His lifelong commitment to service continued as president of the Retired Men’s Club, He was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, member of the Poundstone Sunday School Class and sang with the Joy Singers as long as his sight allowed. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Ellis and Nellie Effie Haynes Mathews and his wife, Julianne Ballard Mathews. He is survived by his daughters, Anne Mathews (James) and Carol Standifer (Wayne), his grandchildren Chelsea Standifer Crenshaw (Arthur) and James Standifer. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 17th at Ridout’s Valley Chapel Homewood from 4:30 until 7 pm. There will be a short visitation on Thursday, at Benefield’s Funeral Home in Wedowee, Alabama at noon followed by a graveside service at 1 pm. A memorial service will be held in Montgomery on Friday at 2 pm in the Stakely Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery. Donations can be made to The Montgomery Exchange Club, c/o Rudolph Ohme, PO Box 640428 Pike Road, Alabama, 36064; Friends of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 5430 Etta Drive, Mount Olive, AL 35117; or Mitchell’s Place, 4778 Overton Road, Birmingham, AL 35210.