Mr. Edward Mattox Jr.

MATTOX, Mr. Edward Jr. - Age 80, passed away Saturday, September 9. 2017 at Genesys Health Park-Grand Blanc, MI. Family hour 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at Fairhaven Seventh-Day Adventist Church, G-1379 W. Louis St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Steve Bramwell, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Tuesday. Mr. Mattox will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1:00 PM-8:00 PM Monday. Subject God chose Edward Mattox Sr. and Anna Farmer Mattox to bear a first-born son, Edward Mattox Jr., born on August 9th, 1937 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Through life’s circumstances, God orchestrated him to obtain effective leadership characteristics that provided a great role model to his younger siblings. God also helped guide him in his convictions to maintain a healthy lifestyle, to always strive to overcome and conquer challenges, and to whole-heartedly “Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 AMP Draft Wanting to lay a great educational foundation, Edward Mattox Jr. chose to attend Oakwood College, in Huntsville, Alabama and later transferred to Union College, in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was during his “Oakwood” experience that he met his future wife, Esther L. Jones and thus commenced their 55 year celebration of marriage as Husband and Wife. Details God blessed Edward and Esther’s union early when they committed to Christian education by teaching side by side at Ramah Junior Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. Later when Edward accepted a call to become principal at Dupont Park SDA School in Washington, D.C., at 28 years of age, he effectively led his talented staff to promote his students to believe and achieve “Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for His children.” Thus, the foundation was laid for his legacy as “Educator Extraordinaire,” as well as his signature look with “one eyebrow raised” that everyone knew to mean either get your act together quick or else a variation of “corporal punishment” could ensue! Edward later continued his educational pursuits obtaining his Masters in Education at Bowie State College in Bowie, Maryland and later working on his PhD in Education at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He transitioned his professional pursuits to Prince George’s County Public School System in Administration at Northwestern High School in Adelphi, Maryland and later Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School in Laurel, Maryland where he retired. Even in retirement his commitment to excellence in Christian education thrived as he helped nurture Fairhaven SDA School. Edward’s love of God was manifested throughout his life as he faithfully served in the Church as 1st Elder, Sabbath School Superintendent/Teacher, choir member and church pianist. Presentation Edward Mattox Jr., a faithful servant of God, always encouraged everyone he met to get to know, love and serve the Lord. As an “eternal optimist” he always had a smile in his heart that exuded through his actions towards others. He never met a stranger and always encouraged others to come and spend some time with him and his family in their home. His love of and for all people continues to leave an everlasting punctuation on everyone’s life that has been blessed by his presence. Even though he is survived by his loving wife, Esther, ~ his three sons, Edward III (Gigi), Everard and Evan James (Delana), ~ his siblings, Therica Ann, William (Adrian), Mary Elizabeth (Charles), Nathaniel (Aundra), Brenda, Glen (deceased), ~ his grandchildren Cole, Marcel, William, Carrington and Evan, ~ a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Edward Mattox Jr.’s life sketch exemplifies “And now there remains: Faith (abiding trust in God and His promises), Hope (confident expectation of eternal salvation), and Love (unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me), these three (the choicest graces) but the greatest of these is Love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 AMP

Mr. Edward Mattox Jr.

August 9, 1937 - September 9, 2017