Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
2:48 pm Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Rayburn “Ray” Lewis Mather

Rayburn “Ray” Lewis Mather, 54 of Houston, entered into rest Feb. 21 at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham.

Mr. Mather was born May 25, 1962, in Russellville. In 2010, Ray surrendered his life for Christ and became a member of Houston Congregational Church. He served as an usher, sign ministry and Sunday School teacher. He attended Phil Campbell High School and was a former longtime member of Sons of American Legion. Ray loved cars and was known as “Ray” or “Ray-Ray” by family and friends.

Visitation will be held Feb. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Addison. Services will be held Feb. 24 at Houston Congregational Church at 2 p.m., where he will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Brother Bobby Smith will officiate. Burial will follow in adjoining cemetery.

Ray is survived by his wife of eight years, Lisa Mather; sons Bryan Mather, Stephen Mather, Bobby Gilliland, Trevor Lee and Justin Mather; mother, Gladys Mather; stepmother, Brenda Mather; brothers, Roy Mather, Tom and wife Serena Mather, Billy and wife Michelle Mather and Phillip and wife Ashley Mather; sisters, Jan Place, Regina Richie, Lori and husband Cliff Creeman, Tammy and husband Jeff Hutcheson, Rhonda and husband Ernest Presley and Tina and husband Santwon Odom; and mother of Bryan and family friend, Paula and husband Billy Ergle. He was “Grandpa” to two grandchildren, Oliver Mather and Madison Mather.

He was preceded in death by his father, Tom Mather; paternal grandparents, Paul and Annie May McMahon; and maternal grandparents, Jack and Ruby Nichols.

Friends may sign the guestbook online at www.nicholsfuneralhomes.com

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