Obituary for Jo Mathis (Crabtree)
Celebration of Life services will be held on Monday, December 31, 2018 at 11 AM at Vondel L. Smith South Lakes Chapel 4000 S. W. 119th Oklahoma City, OK. 73173
Memorial donations may be made to Promised Land Bible Institute12351 W Charter Oak Road Edmond, OK 73025
Callie Jo Mathis was born on February 5, 1930 in Drumright, OK to David and Carrie Olga Crabtree. She was the third of four children - three girls and a boy. At age 14, she moved to OKC and attended Jackson Junior High, then Capitol Hill High School. After high school, a short career would take her for a time to Garland, Texas to live with her older brother and his family. She got a job working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company but eventually transferred back with Bell to Oklahoma City. While out shopping one day for furniture, Jo happened into a little store on SW 29th street. It was there she met a handsome young salesman by the name of Ray Mathis. In Jo's words, "Ray sold me on more than a chair that day...before I knew it I had a new job (working for him), the beginning of a new life... and in less than a year, a new husband!”
Both in their early twenties, Ray and Jo were married in April of 1952. By 1960, they were the proud parents of four children ... two boys and two girls: in birth order, Pamela, Rudy, Nanette, and Roger. Ray and Jo joined Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church in South OKC. In those early years, Jo enjoyed teaching Sunday school and sang in the choir. More recently, Jo enjoyed attending Life Church with her children and grands, up until her passing. Ray was musically inclined and taught all their children to sing while he played his guitar. The family loved country music and Jo had many cherished memories of good times together through the years. Ray was the second of four first-generation Mathis Brothers, who made their mark in the Oklahoma furniture market. He continued in the furniture business until his retirement in 1985. Jo enjoyed home-making and being a stay at home mom - while carving out a bit of time in years past, for bowling leagues, golf and always her favorite....cooking for friends and family.
In her golden years, besides still being a wonderful cook - Jo immensely enjoyed her SPORTS! She loved college football, basketball, professional tennis and of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder!
Jo got to enter heaven’s gates on Sunday, December 23rd, 2018 at 9:19 pm. She was 88 years old. All of her family and those who knew her agree she was one the most beautiful, faithful, selfless, servant-hearted persons one could ever meet. She was always focused on how she could meet the needs of others. Born in 1930, in the midst of the Great Depression, her childhood was filled with adversity and many fears to overcome. But she faced the storms of life on her knees in prayer and never gave up hope for the prodigals in her life. Her hands were healing hands. They rocked babies, changed a thousand diapers, cooled fevered brows and she did everything from a motive of unconditional love. Jo was married to Ray for almost 60 years until he passed in 2011. Spoken by her children, “Our mom had IRON in her soul.” She always looked for things to be grateful for rather than complaining. She was known for things like popping in with a dish (or pie) for an elderly neighbor just because she was kind and compassionate toward others. Jo’s absolute greatest pleasures in life were her children, grand and great-grandchildren. Her family was everything to her. Only a few nights before her passing, she hosted a pizza party for all the family. For those able to attend it was an unforeseen blessing, not knowing it would be the last gathering with her there. She was amazingly sharp and healthy until the evening she had a sudden aneurysm from which she did not recover. She was the rock and such a pillar in her family. She never missed a birthday party, kid or grandkid's performance or family gathering. She was never too busy to lend her ear and encourage an anxious heart. Jo was a woman of wisdom and discernment. She was known by her extended family as "Aunt Jo” and became “Gammy” to all after the birth of her first grandchild. As with her own children, the first words she taught her grands to say was "I love you" and the first song was "Jesus Loves Me.” Jo will be missed very much. Her children are grateful she taught them to fear the Lord. SHE BELIEVED! Now she has entered into her reward and the family rejoices envisioning what her eyes are beholding now. She finished her race and is back in her eternal home. She is also reunited with those who were waiting to greet her from generations past.
From all of her loved ones who remain here…”We love you our beautiful Gammy. Until we are face to face again, you will always remain the queen of our hearts."
Preceded in death by her parents David & Carrie Crabtree; sisters; Betty Brower & Hazel Johnson; brother Jack Lantrip & her husband of 59 years Ray Mathis.
She leaves behind precious memories with those who survive her:
Her adoring children; Pam Olson & husband Bo, Rudy Mathis, Nan Campbell & husband Robert, Roger Mathis & his wife Lisa
Grandchildren Ashely Davis & husband Jay; Trey Olson & wife Kelly; Allison Petrick & husband Bobby; Cale Campbell; Conner & Kennedy Mathis; Dylan & McKenzie Moore
Great grandchildren Jackson & Quinn Davis; Maguire, Prestyn & Cruz Petrick; Karsten, Blakely, & Brecken Campbell; Abigail & Colin Olson & Wade Shaw
Memorial donations may be made to Promised Land Bible Institute12351 W Charter Oak Road Edmond, OK 73025
Callie Jo Mathis was born on February 5, 1930 in Drumright, OK to David and Carrie Olga Crabtree. She was the third of four children - three girls and a boy. At age 14, she moved to OKC and attended Jackson Junior High, then Capitol Hill High School. After high school, a short career would take her for a time to Garland, Texas to live with her older brother and his family. She got a job working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company but eventually transferred back with Bell to Oklahoma City. While out shopping one day for furniture, Jo happened into a little store on SW 29th street. It was there she met a handsome young salesman by the name of Ray Mathis. In Jo's words, "Ray sold me on more than a chair that day...before I knew it I had a new job (working for him), the beginning of a new life... and in less than a year, a new husband!”
Both in their early twenties, Ray and Jo were married in April of 1952. By 1960, they were the proud parents of four children ... two boys and two girls: in birth order, Pamela, Rudy, Nanette, and Roger. Ray and Jo joined Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church in South OKC. In those early years, Jo enjoyed teaching Sunday school and sang in the choir. More recently, Jo enjoyed attending Life Church with her children and grands, up until her passing. Ray was musically inclined and taught all their children to sing while he played his guitar. The family loved country music and Jo had many cherished memories of good times together through the years. Ray was the second of four first-generation Mathis Brothers, who made their mark in the Oklahoma furniture market. He continued in the furniture business until his retirement in 1985. Jo enjoyed home-making and being a stay at home mom - while carving out a bit of time in years past, for bowling leagues, golf and always her favorite....cooking for friends and family.
In her golden years, besides still being a wonderful cook - Jo immensely enjoyed her SPORTS! She loved college football, basketball, professional tennis and of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder!
Jo got to enter heaven’s gates on Sunday, December 23rd, 2018 at 9:19 pm. She was 88 years old. All of her family and those who knew her agree she was one the most beautiful, faithful, selfless, servant-hearted persons one could ever meet. She was always focused on how she could meet the needs of others. Born in 1930, in the midst of the Great Depression, her childhood was filled with adversity and many fears to overcome. But she faced the storms of life on her knees in prayer and never gave up hope for the prodigals in her life. Her hands were healing hands. They rocked babies, changed a thousand diapers, cooled fevered brows and she did everything from a motive of unconditional love. Jo was married to Ray for almost 60 years until he passed in 2011. Spoken by her children, “Our mom had IRON in her soul.” She always looked for things to be grateful for rather than complaining. She was known for things like popping in with a dish (or pie) for an elderly neighbor just because she was kind and compassionate toward others. Jo’s absolute greatest pleasures in life were her children, grand and great-grandchildren. Her family was everything to her. Only a few nights before her passing, she hosted a pizza party for all the family. For those able to attend it was an unforeseen blessing, not knowing it would be the last gathering with her there. She was amazingly sharp and healthy until the evening she had a sudden aneurysm from which she did not recover. She was the rock and such a pillar in her family. She never missed a birthday party, kid or grandkid's performance or family gathering. She was never too busy to lend her ear and encourage an anxious heart. Jo was a woman of wisdom and discernment. She was known by her extended family as "Aunt Jo” and became “Gammy” to all after the birth of her first grandchild. As with her own children, the first words she taught her grands to say was "I love you" and the first song was "Jesus Loves Me.” Jo will be missed very much. Her children are grateful she taught them to fear the Lord. SHE BELIEVED! Now she has entered into her reward and the family rejoices envisioning what her eyes are beholding now. She finished her race and is back in her eternal home. She is also reunited with those who were waiting to greet her from generations past.
From all of her loved ones who remain here…”We love you our beautiful Gammy. Until we are face to face again, you will always remain the queen of our hearts."
Preceded in death by her parents David & Carrie Crabtree; sisters; Betty Brower & Hazel Johnson; brother Jack Lantrip & her husband of 59 years Ray Mathis.
She leaves behind precious memories with those who survive her:
Her adoring children; Pam Olson & husband Bo, Rudy Mathis, Nan Campbell & husband Robert, Roger Mathis & his wife Lisa
Grandchildren Ashely Davis & husband Jay; Trey Olson & wife Kelly; Allison Petrick & husband Bobby; Cale Campbell; Conner & Kennedy Mathis; Dylan & McKenzie Moore
Great grandchildren Jackson & Quinn Davis; Maguire, Prestyn & Cruz Petrick; Karsten, Blakely, & Brecken Campbell; Abigail & Colin Olson & Wade Shaw