Roy Mathews III

Roy Mathews III was born in Harrison, New Jersey on October 20, 1945, the son of Roy Mathews II and Florence Wolff Mathews. To mostly everyone he was known as Papa Roy. He was kind and loving to everyone and he always had a big smile on his face.

Throughout his life he faced many challenges. At age seventeen, his father passed away and soon afterwards Roy enlisted in the Army – fighting on the frontlines in the Vietnam War. He seldom told any stories of his time in Vietnam but when asked about his exposure to Agent Orange, he said at night from the mountaintop he would see an orange glow floating upwards. Later on in his life he was diagnosed with lung cancer and lung disease. He beat cancer, but was left with less than one working lung. Doctors were amazed that he lived so long after cancer treatment and ongoing lung disease. None of his family was surprised because they knew how brave and tough he was. He was a quiet, humble fighter who never complained.

Roy worked as a multi-graphic technician for many years in Montgomery. He also was a mine security guard at Getty Oil in Colorado for a number of years. Due to his lung cancer, he retired from the Bibb County Correctional Facility as a communications officer in Centreville, Alabama in 2012. After retiring he returned to Montgomery, AL where he lived until he passed away. He loved animals, especially dogs. He would go to the Humane Society or animal shelter to adopt a dog. He was also a huge Alabama football fan. Nothing would stop him from watching the Crimson Tide play. He also loved to bow hunt and he could fix just about anything. As one family member said he had more common sense than the rest of us.

On January 29, 2019, God called him home. He passed away at home peacefully in his sleep holding his beloved wife's hands and his rescued dog, "Whome" by his side. He was surrounded by pictures of his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife, Ruby “B” Mathews; Children, Tuwanna (Bill) Hinds and Wallace Harper of Montgomery, AL, Jamie (Gena) Harper of Wetumpa, AL, and Shara (Mike) McNamee of Chelsea, AL; Grandchildren: Kate McGee of Montevallo, AL, Harper McGee of Tuscaloosa, AL, Tevin Crews of Hoover, AL, Hudson Rupert of Winter Park, FL, Mac, Bennett and Reeves McNamee of Chelsea, AL, and Alivia “Keeper” Harper of Wetumpka, AL; great-grandchild, Kaiden Crews of Hoover, AL; Sisters, Carol (Raymond) Steinhart of Rockaway, NJ; Patricia “Trish” Mathews of Montgomery, AL. Brothers, David Shore of Grand Prairie, IL, and Wayne Mathews of Montgomery, AL; Step-Mother Doris Talley Mathews of Montgomery, AL.

The family offers our sincere gratitude and love to Dr. Francisco Robert and his nurse Pat at UAB Division of Hematology & Oncology for their amazing care and always being there when needed. The family is thankful for the support and care from the various medical professionals and providers.

Memorial contributions can be made in Roy's name to the Montgomery Humane Society, 1150 Joe Overton Drive, Montgomery, AL 36110 or your local humane society. His family misses him dearly but they are happy he is no longer in pain and they know they will see him again someday.

A private celebration of life will be held by family.