James Lee Mathis, affectionately known as “Moose” and “Moose Gotti”, was born to Ruby Delay McFadden and the late James Mathis on May 15, 1958, in Sumter. Moose was raised by his grandmother, the late Mary Nickens Delay. He passed away on November 14, 2022, after a brief illness surrounded by love. Moose was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. At an early age, he accepted Christ and joined Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. He served in the United States Army from July 9, 1982 to July 8, 1985, and after his 3 year tour of duty, he returned home. He enjoyed baseball and playing spades / bid whist. Moose was always the life of the party, and he never met a stranger. His loving memories will be cherished by his mother, Ruby Delay-McFadden; one daughter, Denesha Mathis; one granddaughter, Kiyara Cole; two sisters, Gwendolyn Mathis Weston and Debra Jean Nottingham; one brother, Bobby McFadden; three special nieces that he loved as his own, Ingrid (Stanley) Boatright, Sherice (Jimmy) Sims, and Robin (Alvin) James; one aunt, Dorothy Delay; one uncle, Sammy Delay, Sr., and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting that face mask and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitations at the home 3165 Homestead Road, Sumter. Funeral services will be 1:00 p. m., Monday, November 21, 2022 in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, Inc., 821 North Main Street, Sumter, with Elder James H. Jackson III, Eulogist. The funeral procession will leave the home at 12:20 p. m. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Peach Orchard Road (Highway 441), Dalzell.
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