Sunny Patricia Mathis

Sunny Patricia Mathis was born on March 12, 1961, in El Dorado, AR, to the parentage of the late Mary Jo Jenkins and late T.C. Mathis. She accepted Christ as her Savior as a child at St Vestal C.M.E. and again in her early 20s at Fairview Faith and Worship Ministries. Sunny left the state of Arkansas and moved to Texas but always remained connected to a place of worship. For 15 years, she has financially supported Friendly Wayside COGIC in Rowlett, TX. Until the day of her transition, you could find her reading her devotions daily by her bedside.

Sunny received her formal education in the El Dorado Public School System, where she excelled and was musically talented. She played the clarinet and studied the piano. To broaden her career in the service industry, she completed correspondence courses. Her devotion to helping others and her friendly and outgoing personality inspired her daughter and grandchildren to pursue careers in Nursing, Insurance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Behavioral Health. She had a contagious laugh, loved to make others laugh, and was full of life. Sunny enjoyed music so much that she listened to all genres. She could swim better than a fish. She enjoyed solving puzzles and thinking outside the box.

Her legacy is passed on through her only daughter, Keoki Odems. They have lived together for the past 25+ years. She loved her family unconditionally and doted on her (5) grandchildren: Brittany Odems, DaQuecia Odems, Deshannon Stanley, Kayla Williams, and Keyunta Mathis. They shared in caring for Sunny, and there was nothing that they would not do for her. She adored her (2) great-grandchildren: Kyrie Swanigan and Zion Amias Odems, whom she called her "sweet swangs."

She was preceded in death by her baby brother Delbert (Priscilla) Mathis of El Dorado, AR.

She also leaves to cherish her memory (2) brothers and (3) sisters: Keith Ray of El Dorado, AR, T.C. Mathis of El Dorado, AR, Aldreama (Rodney) Harper of McKinney, TX, Penny (Sandy) Brown of El Dorado, AR, and Stephanie (Keith) White of El Dorado, AR and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.