The Rev. Thomas Franklin Mathews Jr. died peacefully in his sleep at 11:25 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2007 at his home in Gulf Shores.
He served in World War II on the beaches of Guadalcanal. Upon his return from the service, he gained his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and his masters of divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary of Alexandria, Va.
Being a minister in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, he administered to many a congregation. Some of these were The Cathedral Advent in Birmingham, St. Paul’s of Selma, Trinity of Florence, St. Barnabus of Roanoke and St. Philip’s of Fort Payne.
After retiring, he and his wife moved to Gulf Shores where he continued to do the Lord’s work by providing service work to dozens of parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Adams, on Feb. 19, 1998.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas Franklin (Terri Abercrombie) Mathews III and Virgil Adams Mathews; and grandchildren, Garrett Adam Mathews and Taylor Lane Mathews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursdasy, Dec. 20, at St. Peter’s Church in Bon Secour.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Peter’s of Bon Secour, Wilmer Hall Children’s Facility of Mobile, or Camp McDowell.
Arrangements are by Pine Rest Funeral Home Inc., Foley.
