Walter Lee (Sr.) Mathis

OBITUARY
Humble Beginnings
Walter Lee Mathis Sr. was born in Columbus Mississippi, February 2, 1940. At the age of 3, his family
relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from South High School and received a certificate in
accounting at Davenport College. He served as a member of the 7th Calvary in the U.S. Army, spending
one year in Korea.
After discharge from the Army in 1962 Walt inquired about whether his brother Dr. Ralph Mathis’ wife
(Yvonne) had any sisters. Walt was intrigued by his sister-in-law as an upstanding and respectable
woman.
To his surprise Yvonne’s Aunt Rita recommended Walt meet Yvonne’s cousin Patsy in Detroit.
Walt travelled to Detroit with his best friend, at the time Rob Lewis, to meet Patsy (Patricia Grier). Upon
meeting Patsy, who was employed at the time as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Detroit’s Harper Hospital,
Walt was immediately impressed.
Walt began a 150-mile courtship travelling from Grand Rapids to Detroit constantly. When recalling this
period, Walt remembers his father warning him that the constant back and forth road trips could
become dangerous and recommended Walt get married and cease the long-distance relationship.
In September 1962 Walt proposed to Pat and on January 12, 1963, the two were joined in Holy
Matrimony. They were married at Pat’s mother’s home by Pat’s stepfather’s minister.
The marriage union, of 62 years, produced four loving children, Walter Jr, Tracy, Daryl (deceased), and
Melissa. Patricia worked side by side with Walter in his business, professional, political and family life.
This support helped him to achieve the accomplishments in his life.
Business and Professional Life
As a youngster Walt shined shoes and delivered new papers for the Grand Rapids Press to earn money.
He had dreams of becoming a lawyer or a mortician.
Walt was employed by Meijer from 1968 to 1978 as a shipping clerk. However, he was terminated for
attempting to organize workers under the Teamsters Union.
Walt’s dreams of entrepreneurship led him to become a licensed Realtor in 1975 (later to become a Real
Estate Broker.
In 1978 Walt opened Tracy’s Laundry mat at 610 Benjamin SE with a $6,000.00 loan from his brother Dr.
Ralph Mathis.
Walt’s father recommended the loan because in the event of a loss he could not come back to his
brother for any money.
It wasn’t long before he had diversified the business by selling grocery items. By 1980 the laundry mat
had been transitioned into a grocery store with a liquor and beer & wine license.
By 1983 Walt purchased the property at 1014-24 Franklin SE and repurposed it as the Mathis complex
housing several different businesses including Miss Tracy, the Take Pride Community magazine and later
Dr. Tracy (Mathis) Blount’s practice of General Dentistry.
As promised to Rev. Nathaniel Moody in 1989, upon completion of the newly built, Brown-Hutcherson
Ministries, Walt donated the sign on the front lawn.
Political Life
In 1968 on advice from Rev Cy Young, a traveling minister, Walt ran for the office of Kent County
Commissioner as a Republican. He recalls that even his mother didn’t vote for him, and he lost in a
landslide.
Two years later he ran under the Democratic banner and won decisively over Fred Winters a political
powerhouse and the Republican that beat him in his first run. He also won election again two years
later. With this victory he received congratulations personally from Grand Rapids’ first African American
Mayor at the time Lyman Parks.
For many years Walt has served honorably in the causes he believes in. Walt has served in various
capacities in Boys’ Club of America, NAACP, the Kent County Democratic Executive Committee, and the
Independent Accountants Association of Michigan to name a few.
Family Life
Walter Sr. is survived by his loving wife and best friend Patricia Elizabeth Mathis, Son Walter Lee Mathis
Jr., Daughter Dr. Tracy Elaine Blount (Eugene), and Melissa Elizabeth Mathis. Grandchildren, Daryl
Mathis, Ashleigh Mathis, Hezekiah Mathis and Mijha Rameriez. One, Great Grandson Royal Mathis.
Three Brothers Willie Mathis Jr., Ernest Mathis Sr., Dr. Ralph Mathis. Two Sisters Christine Herron and
Catherine White (James). His special niece Kimberly Schaefer. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
complete his family.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Ludell Mathis, one son Daryl Allen Mathis, three
sisters Alice Louise Coleman, Lorine Mathis Smith, Mildred Ann Franklin and Daughter-In-Law Juanita
Mae Mathis.
Walter Lee Mathis Sr. was a trailblazer and visionary and had a positive impact throughout the
community.
“For the Lord Thy God hath Blessed Thee in All the Works of Thy Hand…”
Deuteronomy 2:7

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