Marcus Ray Mathews

Marcus Ray Mathews was born on May 5, 1955, to Deacon Shepherd Mathews and Mildred Mathews in Lorena, Texas.

He attended Downsville Public Schools, then G.W. Carver, and graduated from Richfield High School in May 1973 as part of the institution’s largest class, comprising over eight hundred students. In 1974, he proudly joined the United States Army. Marcus spent four years in Frankfurt, Germany. He completed his tour with an honorable discharge and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Marcus Mathews was a military veteran recognized by the government of the United States of America.

After he completed his tour in the military, he settled back in Waco. His mother consistently recognized him as her firstborn. She attributed significance to his birth date, May 5, 1955, regarding it as meaningful. He was extremely astute, ambidextrous, and had a love for baseball and bowling. Marcus was exceedingly kind, generous, and loving. He never asked for much growing up.

Marcus departed this life on Friday, January 9, 2026. Preceding him in death were his parents; siblings, Johnathan “Joe” Mathews, Felicia “Nette” Mathews, and Patrick “Pat” Mathews; and his cousin who was raised by his mother, Kay Francis Slaughter.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving and caring siblings, Anthony Mathews (Mary), Clara Shelton (William), and Mary Mathews, all of Waco, TX; cousins raised by his mother, Morris “Sonny” Evans of Waco, TX, and Robert “Lil Sonny” Dever, III. of Dallas, TX; loving and only surviving uncle at 95 years young, Willie Laster of Lubbock, TX; nieces and nephews; cousins; and a host of family and friends. We will miss him dearly!