Frank Mathews, Sr.

Francis "Frank" Meriwether Mathews Sr., 94, of Lafayette, passed away peacefully at his home April 4, 2021. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 19, 2021at 11:00 am in the Sunrise Chapel at Walters Funeral Home. Rev. Wayne Evans will conduct the service, and Curt Schwake will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Bonnie Hastings Mathews of Lafayette; one daughter, Brenda Barrett of Lafayette; two sons, Charles "Chip" (Ese) Mathews of Houston, and Frank "Mick" (Michele) Mathews, Jr. of Austin; one sister, Jane (Walter) Penry of Daphne, Ala., 13 grandchildren, Bryan (Heather) Barrett, Brady (Shayla) Barrett, Blake (LeAnne Moreau)Barrett, Bonnie (Adam) Barrett Comeaux, Kellie (Roman) Mathews Degarmo, Chris (Sarah) Mathews, Josh (Nikky Le) Mathews, Sean (Kaitlyn) Mathews, Jennie (Adam) Mathews Gitter, Angeline Mathews, and Courtney (Scott) Mathews Richard; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Mathews; parents,Willie Grace and Charles Lewis Mathews; and one brother, William G. Mathews.
Frank was born in Robertsdale, Ala. on October 19, 1926. Shortly after high school, he joined the Navy and served on numerous ships in the Pacific Theater as a Seaman First Class.
After the war, Frank attended Auburn University. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in History with a minor in English, and taught elementary school in Pensacola, Florida.
The Boy Scouts of America recruited Frank and he become a District Boy Scout Executive servicing the Florida and Louisiana areas for 18 years. In 1969 he relocated to Lafayette to accept a position with Louisiana State Employment Service. Frank worked there for 26 years.
After retirement Frank traveled extensively abroad.  He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed for his personal warmth, generosity, calm nature, hearty laugh and love of people.
The family requests that visitation begin Monday morning prior to the service at 9:00 am.
Pallbearers will be Bryan Barrett, Brady Barrett, Blake Barrett, Sean Mathews, Christopher Mathews, and Josh Mathews.
Memorial contributions can be made in Frank's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by clicking here:

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=7010588&pg=personal&fr_id=39300