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Henry

Henry Howard Mattox

d. April 4, 2005

Marion Sunday, April 3, 2005, at 3:00 P.M., Henry Howard Mattox went to be with the Lord. After an exhausting illness, he had a gentle passing in his easy chair without distress. Howard was born in Marion on July 19, 1931 to Elmer and Beatrice (Nicholson) Mattox. He was the youngest of seven children. On November 11, 1949 he married his sweetheart, Mary Sue Barnett. They were blessed with over 55 years together. Sue and Howard served as youth counselors at the Warder Street Baptist Church in the early 60s and influenced many young lives. In 1965 they adopted their daughter, Erin LeAnn and in 1970 they completed their family when they adopted their son Stephen Howard. The children have been a joy in their lives. Howard often related their adoption as a spiritual comparison of being adopted into the family of God. Howard always loved music and sang in church at an early age. He was a long time member of the Warder Street Baptist Church of Marion. As a teenager, he worked for Malones Taffy at the county fair and delivered newspapers in the area he now lives. Howard served his country in the Air Force from 1953-1957. He was an aircraft mechanic and traveled extensively on temporary duty. For eleven years, he worked for the architectural firm of Simon, Rettburg, and Garrison of Champaign, Illinois. In 1976 he answered Gods call and at the age of 45, went to Bible College, where he became a minister of music. He used his talents at Illinois churches in Champaign and Jacksonville and in Conroe, Texas, where he worked with Brother Charles Puckett, and his wife Betty, who have been great spiritual influences in their lives, and like family members. Howard also served churches in Springfield, Missouri. As well as singing, he was often called upon to use his carpentry talents in building projects for churches. Howard was a member of three different gospel quartets, two of which were the Crusaders of Marion and the Songmasters of Decatur. He traveled throughout Illinois and the surrounding states proclaiming Gods message in song. Howard recorded three solo albums, Sweet Sweet Spirit, The Wonder of It All, and Heaven. He also recorded an album with the Songmasters Quartet, called From the Heart. All his songs had a message and even in his last days he could be heard trying to sing. In 1990 Sue and Howard moved back home to Marion where they lived on Everett Street. To their disappointment, Howard was soon diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, which robbed him of his voice and freedom of movement. For several years however, he was still able to enjoy woodworking and was an excellent craftsman. In June of 2004, to add to his distress, he found out he had lung cancer, which took his life. Howard is survived by: His Wife Mary Sue of Marion Daughter Erin LeAnn Bourgeois and husband Terry of Myrtle Beach, SC Son Stephen Howard Mattox of Marion Seven Grandchildren: Matthew, 15 Victoria, 13 Joseph, 11 Stephen, 10 Andrew, 7 Caroline, 6 David, 3 all of Myrtle Beach, SC Sisters: Nathalie Sullivan of Lowell, IN Aletha Fork of Mesa, AZ Brother-in-law; Verbal & Betty Barnett of Marion Brother-in-law; Bob & Sharon Barnett of Marion Sister-in-law; Shirley Fox of Marion Sister-in-law; Mildred & Andy Barwick Preceded by: Parents, Sisters Margaret Sherman and Lorene Thorpe, Brothers Roy Mattox and Eugene Mattox. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 07, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Charles H. Puckett and Rev. Jim Holderfield officiating. Burial will follow in Freedom Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 9:00 P.M. at the funeral home. The legacy he leaves is one of faithfulness in Christian service and to his wife and family. He will be greatly missed and his memory cherished. As we know, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We can rest assured that he is now in Gods presence. We can be confident that he will be singing again now in our Saviors heavenly choir. For those who prefer memorials may be given to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
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