Roy David Mathews, 64, of Franklin, Texas, peacefully went to Heaven from his beloved Windy Hill Ranch, on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Roy was born in Hearne, Texas on August 9, 1958, to Edith and Horace Mathews.

Roy graduated from Hearne High School in 1976, and attended Texas State Technical Institute, and got an associate's degree in machining. He always loved to work, and worked at Heartfield Funeral Home during high school and college and also at Harold's grocery store. Roy married Toni Woodall of Franklin in 1979, and they were married for 30 years, having two children, John and Carri.

Roy loved helping people. Anyone that needed anything done, could count on Roy to get the job done. Even though it would be several years before his kids got old enough, Roy spent his vacation time and at his expense hauled show animals for all the Robertson County kids to all the major shows every year.  He volunteered at the Robertson County Fair every year, cooking BBQ and running the concession stand, again, taking his vacation from work to do so.

He was on the Robertson County Fair Board. He was a lifetime member of the Robertson County and Houston Go Texan Association, raising money for scholarship for local kids. He loved going to BBQ cook offs and competed in several every year and catered many events, both locally and all around several states, when he took the kids to cattle shows. Everyone loved Roy's "yard bird". (Beer can chicken)

He was a member of the Franklin Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief for several years, until his work took him out of town so much he retired . He was a member of Outstanding Young Men of America, rewarding him for his good works in his county.

Roy accepted Christ at a young age and was a member of First Baptist Church in Franklin.

Roy is preceded in death by his father, Horace H Mathews and his father in law, Dale Woodall.

Roy is survived by his mother, Edith Lange Mathews of Hearne, his children, John Allen Mathews and wife Jeni of Hearne. Daughter, Carri Lynn Verzinski and husband Mark of Franklin. His beloved grandchildren, Henli Lou Verzinski and Joeli Grace Verzinski of Franklin and Alexander Ryan Mathews of Hearne. Ex wife, Toni Mathews of Franklin. Sister, Carol Ritter and husband Paul of Carthage, Tx. Mother in law, Linnie Woodall of Franklin. Sister in laws, Terri Reistino, and husband Frank and Traci Woodall all of Franklin. Niece, Julie Reynolds, nephews, Kyle Ritter, Richard Reistino, Randy Reistino and Josh Spiller. He is also survived by many cousins that he grew up with.

A celebration of life for Roy will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Hearne. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 5-7 P.M. at McCauley Funeral Home in Franklin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Robertson County Go Texan Assoc. PO Box 31 Wheelock, Tx 77881, or Dale Woodall scholarship PO Box 909 Franklin, Tx 77856

Pallbearers are dear friends, Bobby Fleming, Adam Gallagher, Todd Barton, Keith Gregory, Justin Frieda and Mark Verzinski. Honorary pallbearer is Roy's dear friend, Jim Stovall.