Lois Marie Mattix, 102

Lois Marie Mattix, 102, of Protem, died Aug. 27, 2023, at Gainesville Health Care Center. At her request she will be cremated and her ashes will be placed by her husband at McDaniel Cemetery in Valley View.

Formerly of Jonesboro, Arkansas, she was the daughter of the late Homer Johnson and Elsie Wells Johnson of Savanna, Tennessee. She was born in Etowah, Arkansas, on Jan 19, 1921.

 She was a shoe model and machine operator for 22 years at Frolic Footwear in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She loved fishing, and in 1985 she moved to Lazy Acres in Protem so she could fish daily. She also enjoyed hosting fish fries for family and friends. She loved cooking big family meals, and if any family member was late they’d never hear the end of it.

She was the “big boss” of the family and left notes all over her house giving instructions on what was to be done after her death for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her dearly.

She always credited her longevity in life to eating two eggs a day, great northern beans and always said the best part of the meal was milk.

She was little ornery and sassy but had a heart of gold. 

She was survived by her daughter Barbara White of Gainesville; granddaughters Paige Saldana of Springfield, Leeann Mattix of Kansas City and Laura Mattix of Mountain Home, Arkansas; grandson Jesse Mattix of Norfork, Arkansas; great-grandchildren Joshua Saldana, Jacob White, Hannah White, Isaac and Stella Mattix, James Mattix and Katlyn White; And many great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Homer and Elsie Johnson; husband James “Jimmy” L. Mattix; sons David Pickens, James Edward Mattix and Ricky Mattix; granddaughter Linda Pickens; grandsons Sam Pickens and John White; son-in-law Gene Billingsley; two sisters; four brothers; and three great-grandchildren.