Cohen Mathews

Cohen Mathews, age 86, died on Friday, May 15, 2015, at his home. Cohen was born July 7, 1928 in Waynesville as the oldest of four children to the late Thomas Hoyt and Jessie Fulbright Mathews. As a child, he lived in Carnesville (Franklin County), Georgia before returning to Haywood County, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. Cohen served in the United States Navy at the end of World War II, where he learned the machinist trade. He was discharged in 1947 but was called back into service during the Korean War. He was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida until 1952, when he was honorably discharged. For 40 years he was employed by the Dayco Corporation in Waynesville, retiring in 1988. Cohen played a significant role in helping to establish the Bethel Youth Organization, sponsored by the Bethel Lions Club where he was a coach or assistant coach for several youth sports teams in Haywood County in the 1960s. He was a member of Cruso United Methodist Church. Before his health decline prevented these activities, Cohen enjoyed fishing, hunting, football, baseball, golfing, and growing his garden each year. He was a member of the Sonoma Masonic Lodge #472 AF&AM and a Master Mason for 57 years. He was past Master of the Sonoma Lodge in 1975, a District Deputy Grand Lecturer, an endowed member of the Asheville Scottish Rite, and a Shriner. He was also a member and past patron of Sonoma Chapter #254 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Coleen Robinson Mathews, whom he married on March 20, 1948 in Clayton, Georgia. Surviving him are their four children, Wanda Taylor of Canton; Michael Mathews (Linda) of Charlotte, Ricky Mathews of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Barbara Morris of Waynesville. In addition to his children he is survived by eight grandchildren, Amity and Emmaline Taylor, Gabe Mathews and Haley Mathews Jonas, Brandy Mathews, Tasha Mathews Duvall, and Dakota Mathews, and Savannah Morris. He also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren and two sisters, Madge Enloe (Verlin) of Canton and Brenda Best (Henry) of Denver, North Carolina; and a brother, Harold Mathews of Canton. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, 2015 at the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Rennie Salata and Reverend Greg Mathis officiating with masonic rites. Burial will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Pallbearers will be members of the Sonoma Masonic Lodge. Memorials may be made to Oxford Orphanage, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

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