Steven Mathews

Steven Allen Mathews, age 44, of Blue Ridge, passed away peacefully June 13, 2021, at Emory University Hospital surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Mathews was born December 25, 1976, in Athens, Georgia, to James Mathews and Deborah Hogan. A member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Mineral Bluff, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Mae Butts and Alton and Willie Delle Mathews; and his grandmother, Madge Wait.

Steve graduated from Oglethorpe County High School in Lexington, Georgia, in 1995 and served four years active duty in the United States Air Force and another six years as Air Force Reserve. He worked for Verizon Communication in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for 10 years before entering the Fire Academy, where he graduated with the Top Rungs Award. He worked as a firefighter for the Gwinnett County Fire Department at Station 5-C for eight years.

Steve loved the Lord and his family with his wife and two sons who meant the world to him. He enjoyed tailgating and going to Georgia Bulldogs football games and Atlanta Braves games as well as scuba diving, the outdoors, mountain biking, snowboarding, water skiing, all kinds of sports and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He especially enjoyed being on the lake with his family and cooking for the fire department. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Mathews; sons, Tucker Mathews and Parker Mathews; father, James (Kathi) Mathews; mother, Deborah (Tom) Hogan; father-in-law, Butch (JoAnn) Shook; brothers, Dylan (Jennifer) Hogan, Brandon (Kelsey) Hogan and Mike Todd; and nephews, Trent Smith, Tyler Hogan, and Luke Hogan.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Reverend Paul Adams officiating. Music was provided by Katie Roberson and Susie Roberson.

Interment followed in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dylan Hogan, Brandon Hogan, Mike Todd, Lou Forti, Matt Thrash and Scott Lewis. Honorary pallbearers were Rick Allen, Scottie Maddox, Alex Armstrong, Matt Bowen, Vince Mercardante, Sam Yoder, Nate Comer, Logan Holt, Charlie Andrews, Josh Golden, Titus Pugh, Seth Pugh, Tae Ross, John Carter, DJ Farhy, Mike Anderson and John Pawlin.

The family met with friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the trust fund set up for Steve’s children, Tucker and Parker Mathews, at BB&T Bank in Blue Ridge or donate directly to the family.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home, of Blue Ridge.

To send condolences to the family and sign the guest register visit www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.