CORAPEAKE, N.C. — Bobby Lee Mathias, 83, of 1626 NC 32 North, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mr. Mathias was born in Gates County on May 12, 1931, and was the son of the late Algie R. and Florence Brinkley Mathias. Early in life he farmed, but later began working as a tea processor with Thomas J. Lipton Co. in Suffolk, where he retired after 29 years of service. A member of Parker’s United Methodist Church, he loved his family and he loved to garden, sharing his vegetables with all his friends and neighbors.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Thomas and A.R. Mathias, and brothers-in-law, Gelon Wiggins and Joseph Lazzara.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Bernice Hollowell Mathias; his daughter, Lisa M. Griggs and husband, Michael, of Burlington; his son, Tony Lee Mathis and wife, Doris, of Corapeake; three sisters, Kathleen Wiggins, Naomi Lazzara, and Nancy Bunch and husband Kenneth; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis and Cecile Mathias; five grandchildren, Jennifer Mathias, Amanda Pierce and husband, Nicholas, Daniel Mathias, Katie Chung and husband, Chun, and Lauren Bradshaw and husband, Todd; and his great-grandson, Zackary Bradshaw.

Graveside services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in Eureka Baptist Church Cemetery by the Revs. Mickey Willard and Kenneth Bunch. Friends may join the family in the Eureka Church Social Hall immediately following the service, or all other times at the residence.  Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to any chapter of the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the Albemarle Hospice, and to Home Sweet Home Care, for the care and attention given him in his final days.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.