Alton “Ronnie” Mathews went to be with the Lord on August 16th, 2022. He passed in Oak Grove, Louisiana. He was born on August 4th, 1941 in Indian Bay, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lurah Rose Mathews and Ernie Mathews and son Alton Randolph Jr. Mathews.
Ronnie is survived by his wife Dian Mathews of 48 years; one sister LouAnn Calvert and her husband Charlie “Chuck”; four sons James Edward Hendrix and his wife Debbie, John Barry, Jason Hendrix, Chris Hendrix and his wife Melissa; three granddaughters Mariah Vinson and her husband Trustyn, McKenzie Miller and her husband Lee, and Miracle Hendrix; nephew Mack Calvert and his wife Regina; niece Dvawn Maza and her husband Clayton; and many great- nieces, nephews.
He was raised in Wabash and Elaine Arkansas, married Dian Leonard on November 4th, 1974 in Helen, Arkansas.
Alton, Ronnie, Slick, Pawpaw are just a few of the names he went by. He loved his country, his family, God, fishing, gardening, and butter, man did he love his butter!!
Ronnie joined the Navy at 16 years old, not having finished high school, to serve his beloved country. He served in Vietnam and fought for our freedom. After retiring from the Navy, he came home and continued work as a small engine mechanic. Ronnie was one of a kind, he never knew a stranger, he lived for his family as a God-fearing man. His love for helping others and giving from his heart was unmatched. He grew a garden behind their house every year since 1991, the community of Elkins, AR knew him by name, if not by name by the garden.
Ronnie’s work on this earth is now finished and he’s in his eternal home rejoicing, fishing, and gardening away watching over his family and friends as they learn how to navigate this new life with a heavenly angel protecting them.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Beard’s Chapel.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, August 19, 2022 at the Elkins Church of Christ with Jack English officiating. Interment will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with military honors.
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY
Fair winds and following seas, Shipmate, we have the watch.