Cleo Mathews

Cleo Lorene (Crist) Mathews, 85, of Sweetwater, Tenn., and formerly of Kingfisher, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022.

Cleo was born Feb. 20, 1937, and was raised by loving parents, the late Marvin Cleo and Beulah Lorene (Ogle) Crist of Kingfisher.

She graduated from Kingfisher High School in 1955.

She owned and operated the Tri-County Bowling Alley in Oliver Springs, Tenn., before the lanes were moved to Oak Ridge, Tenn. She enjoyed bowling herself and it was a family sport.

She also enjoyed researching her family trees and documenting her genealogy.

She was very talented at crafts and oil painting. A cat and dog lover, she cared for many furry companions over the years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three young daughters, Karmeta Kay (1963), Annette Sue (1967) and Twila Jo (1969), all who succumbed to Cystic Fibrosis, and the father of her children, Melvin Mathews (1988).

She is survived by her devoted son and daughter-in-law Scotty and Jan Mathews, Sweetwater, Tenn.; grandchildren and spouses, Christopher C. and April Mathews, Andrea M. Mathews, and Jeremy D. and Tosha Mathews; great-grandchildren Harrison S. Mathews, Henley K. Mathews, Kylie M. Mathews, and Kamren R. Cathey, all of Tennessee; sister and brother-in-law Janila and Paul Banther, Kingfisher; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.

Graveside services honoring and remembering Cleo will be 2 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at the Kingfisher Cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service with Dennis Baker officiating.