Rita Mathis

Mrs. Rita Darlene Eldridge Mathis age 50, of Burning Springs, KY (formerly of Knox County) passed away Sunday-April 5, 2009 at her residence. She was born on January 15, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois to the union of William Earnest Eldridge and Mossie Mae Hubbard Eldridge. She was united in marriage to Rev. Bobby Don Mathis. She was a Homemaker and a member of Lighthouse Holiness Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents William Earnest Eldridge and Mossie Mae Hubbard Eldridge and by four Sisters, one Brother and one grandchild

Survivors include her husband Rev. Bobby Don Mathis. Two step sons she loved as her own Joshua Scott Mathis and Tyler Jamel Mathis both of Burning Springs KY. Five children she had by her 1st husband Delbert Dewayne North, Delbert Dewayne North and wife Lisa, Dale Ray North and wife Kelly, Gracie Lynn North and friend Christina Woods, Katherine Rucker and husband Willard, and Mary Jean North all of Corbin, KY. Three girls that she raised as her own Rebecca Lewis and husband William of Lynchburg, Ohio, Melissa Campbell of Kay Jay, KY and Tiffany Henson of Manchester, Ky. Five Brothers: James Gambrel and wife Naomi of Pineville, KY, Tommy Gambrel and wife Hazel of Indiana, William Eldridge and wife Dorothy of Manchester, KY, Donald Eldridge of Corbin, Ronald Eldridge and wife Ethel of Lexington, KY. Three sisters: Judy Kellion and husband Charles of Middlesboro, KY, Beulah Laws and husband James of Pineville, KY and Ivory Bays and husband Larry Wilson of Barbourville, KY. One special sister and dear friend Sylvia Wilson and husband Sam of Barbourville, KY and special friends Dorothy and Paul Jackson of Corbin. Eighteen Grandchildren: Brittany Rucker, Brianna Rucker, Natalie North, Kyrah North, Emily North, Megan North, Madison North, Lucas North, Derek North, Courtney Mills, Lyssa Carpenter, Henry Campbell, Katie Campbell, Dakota Gray, Martha Hlyton, Chayenne Lewis, William Lewis and Ashley Lewis. One Great Grandchild: Justin Hlyton.

Funeral service for Rita Darlene Eldridge Mathis will be conducted at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday April 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Jimmy Curry, Rev. Harold Byrd, Rev. Mike Hensley, Rev. Glen Collins, Rev. Walter Wagers and Rev. George Payne officiating. Burial will follow in the Mathis Cemetery, Burning Springs with Paul Jackson, Earl Jackson, George Proffitt, Earl Smith, Will Henson, Cody Fields, Sam Bennett and David Allen serving as Pallbearers. Hampton Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.