Maurice Daniel Mathews

Maurice Daniel Mathews, 88, passed away on September 26, 2025. Born April 4, 1937 and raised in Oglethorpe County, he was a long-time and well-respected leader from the Enterprise community. Maurice graduated from Oglethorpe County High School in 1956. As was permissible at that time, he joined the Georgia National Guard during his junior year in high school and served for six years, earning an honorable discharge. He was also an active member of Burts United Methodist Church.

Maurice had a long career as a Ranger with the Georgia Forestry Commission, fighting wild fires for more than 34 years. He often stood watch in a forestry tower with a spotting scope, drove bulldozers ahead of the flames to create fire breaks and battled blazes with a rake. An expert on identifying damage from the deadly-for-pine trees Southern Pine Beetle, the Forestry Commission called on him to travel statewide to spot outbreaks from an airplane. To stop the Beetles’ spread, infected pine growths were cut down by ground crews based on his aerial evaluation and identification.

Genial and energetic, Maurice sought to keep county citizens aware of fire dangers and fire-fighting advancements, submitting monthly updates for publication to the Oglethorpe Echo. Forward thinking, he was a significant contributor to the early development of Oglethorpe County’s system of volunteer fire departments, aiding and advising the County Commissioners. He also led the Oglethorpe County Forestry Unit in assisting with the manufacture of early fire suppression trucks known as “fire knockers” that were destined for newly-formed volunteer departments not only in the county, but throughout the state. He promoted the practice of installing water pump systems in Oglethorpe farm ponds enabling local fire knockers to refill with water quickly.

Always interested and conversant in political developments, Maurice was a perennial touchstone for local and legislative office seekers. Among his proudest public affairs achievements was serving for 30 years as a member of the Rayle Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors. In that role he helped to improve both lives and livelihoods across the EMC’s 10-county service area by establishing high standards of service while maintaining low rates for energy.

Maurice was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Shirley Black Mathews, and parents Eugene W. and Myrtle Matthews (Eugene spelled Matthews with two “ts”, but school teachers dropped one of them in Maurice’s school records which transferred to the National Guard; thus he adopted the one ‘t”spelling.) and nephew, Ben Mathews.

He is survived by two sons, Terry (Margaret) Mathews of Atlanta and Wendell (Sherry) Mathews, grandson, Ryan (Tiffany) Mathews, all of Enterprise; step grandson, Grant (Davida) McCannon; step great granddaughter Hayley McCannon, all of Sandy Cross; sister-in-laws, Barbara Fogg and Joyce Mathews; nieces and nephews, Breigh Black, Ben Black, Mike Mathews, Greg Mathews, and Kimberly Faust.

Services will be conducted on September 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Burts United Methodist Church, 77 Veribest-Enterprise Road, Carlton, GA 30627. Visitation will be held prior to services beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Burts Methodist Cemetery Fund, c/o Sherry Mathews, 44 Eberhardt Road, Carlton, GA 30627.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East (Athens) is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com