Raymond Jenkins " Chic" Mathis, Jr., age 93, died Monday, November 18, 2013

Raymond Jenkins " Chic" Mathis, Jr., age 93, beloved husband of sixty five years to Irene Chokes Mathis, died on Monday, November 18, 2013 at his residence.

Mr. Mathis was born on October 6, 1920 in Wedgefield, the son of the late Raymond Jenkins and Emma Lillian Burress Mathis. He proudly served his country in the Navy and retired from active duty on August 8, 1946. Mr. Mathis was an entrepreneur, owning and operating many businesses over the years, including: the Manhattan Restaurant with his wife, Gamecock Packaging Stores, Central Distributing, Chic-A-Dee Restaurants, and co-owner of Jersey Mikes Sub Shop. He was member of the Sumter Lodge #364 AFM for over sixty years and a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Columbia.

In addition to his business ventures, Mr. Mathis was a member of various organizations, had many accomplishments, and received numerous awards over the years, some of which include: serving on the USS Aylwin (DD355), President of the South Carolina Beer Association from 1968- 1970; recipient of the SC Beer Association Hammer, Advocate, Benefactor and Friend of USC Sumter; President of the Rotary Club from 1979-1980; Veteran of Foreign Wars for Sumter County Post 3039 and Commander from 1965-1966; President of the Partisans Club from 1973-1977; Distinguished Service Award from USC in 1993; Lynden B. Johnson Inaugural Committee Participation; Stand-By for the Colors; The Order of the Palmetto; the Senate of the State- Appreciation of Dedicated Service Award; Past Chairman of the Democrat Party; House of Representatives Appreciation Dedicated Service Award; Town of Kingstree Resolution Appreciation; Sumter Area Tech Education Commission; Highway Commissioner of South Carolina; American Legion for over 60 years; Sumter County Council Appreciation; Sumter Area Tech Education Commission Dedicated Service for S.C.Y.D.; Member of the Board of Directors for the Sumter Merchants Association; Chairman of the South Carolina Highway Commission, Member of the Mid Carolina Commission for Higher Education; South Carolina Highways and Public Transportation Service Award; Sumter County Development Award and the Director of the South Carolina Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce.

Surviving in addition to his wife is: a son, Dr. Stephen Marcus Mathis of Canton, GA and a sister Carolyn M. Kizer of Summerville, SC.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Fr. Michael A. Platanis officiating. Entombment will follow in the Sumter Cemetery with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 from 6-8pm with the Trisaghion beginning at 7pm at Bullock Funeral Home, 1190 Wilson Hall Rd., Sumter, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are asked to be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1937 Sumter St., Columbia, SC 29201 or Tri –County Hospice, 2650 A Hardee Cove, Sumter, SC 29150.

You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements