George A. Mathis, Sr., 78, Nashville, passed away Sunday evening, Jan. 27, 2013, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus. 

Mr. Mathis was born Oct. 7, 1934, in Brown County. He was the son of Samuel Ernest and Emma Katherine (Snyder) Mathis.  He married Virginia (Ginny) May Sisson June 1, 1956

Mr. Mathis worked at Robert Bro’s Lumber Company from 1956-1981. He retired from Town of Nashville, working from 1982-2000. He was a founding member and later made a life member of the Brown County Fire Department after serving 40 years. He and Ginny owned and operated the Cozy Corner Café from 1983-1989, which was famous for their elephant ears and homemade root beer. 

George loved the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. He loved gardening, working in the yard, camping, hunting and fishing. He loved having company and visiting with his family and friends. George loved Nashville and Brown County. He loved sitting on his porch in the spring and summer, just watching nature. He attended the old Green Valley one-room school house in 1942. The road he lived on, Mathis Road, was named after him after residing there for 55 years.

Mr. Mathis is survived by his loving family: four daughters, Leigh Ann (Lanny) Frasher of Nashville, Julia (Larry) Sayer of Mooresville, Sandra (Calvin) Gaither of Nashville and Barbara (Bill) Taylor of Nashville; two sons, George (Jane) Mathis Jr. of Nashville and Samuel (Wendy) Mathis of McCordsville; four sisters, Beulah (Robert) Austin of Nashville, Sarah (Larry) Smith of Indianapolis, Mary (Darrell) Lucas of Columbus and Bonnie (John) Rihm of Carmel; one brother, Paul (Debbie) Mathis of Nashville; 12 grandchildren, Keith (Danielle Riest) Sayer, Jonathan Sayer, Calvin CJ (Becky) Gaither Jr., Little Bill (Emily) Gaither, Shannon (Tom) Buccos, Mitchell (Eden) Mathis, Ashligh Mathis, Courtney Mathis, Joe Joe Gardner, Marsha Grimes, Ginny Mathis, Maddie Mathis, and (5) great-grandchildren – William Gaither, Kailey Buccos, Aisa Mathis, Tommy Buccos and Wyatt Gaither; and his longtime companion, Brenda Lakes. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Ginny; two sisters, Baby Connie and Doris Kelp; two brothers, Harold and Richard Mathis; and one granddaughter, Rachael Leigh Frasher.

The funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. at Parkview Church of The Nazarene with one-hour visitation prior to service. The Rev. Fred Harrison will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery in Nashville. Friends can visit with the family Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home in Nashville.

The family suggests contributions be made to the Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th St., Columbus, IN 47201.

Online condolences can be given at www.bondmitchellfuneralhome.com.