Mr. Sammy Mathis was born to Freddie Mathis and Daisy Lee Mathis on May 26, 1963, in Camilla, Georgia.  He attended the Mitchell County School System.

Mayor Mathis accepted CHRIST at an early age and joined the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. During his years of membership, he exemplified his dedication and commitment to Christ by serving as a Deacon, member of the Senior Choir and Usher Board and Past President of the Laymen's Department of the Moultrie Union Meeting. He mentored several young men from the church taking them on monthly outings and taught them how to conduct themselves as young men. He was also a volunteer with the Sale City Youth Summer Program.

Brother Sammy was a member of Sale City Masonic Lodge #267, serving as Jr. Deacon and Assistant Chaplin.

He was preceded in death by his parents Freddie Mathis and Daisy Lee Mathis; two sisters, Anotonia Mathis and Daisey Green; three brothers, David Mathis, Norman Mathis and Andrew Mathis.

Brother Sammy was the first black elected Mayor of Sale City, Georgia, being elected March 15, 2011.  His term would have ended December 31, 2021.  Brother Sammy devoted his service representing his town.  He was loved by the residents of Sale City and everywhere he went he talked about Sale City and the loving citizens.

Brother Sammy served many years as a City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem.  He was a volunteer with the Sale City Meals for Seniors and various other outreach projects in the community of Sale City, Georgia.

He departed this life on Sunday, June 14, 2020, at his residence.

He is survived by a fiancée Tina Wakefield; a loving and devoted father and grandfather who was immensely proud of his children's accomplishments, son, Demario Sawyer, Sr. of Columbia, South Carolina; daughter, Takevia Sawyer of Thomasville, Georgia; four grandchildren, DeMaya Sawyer, Demario Sawyer, Jr., DeMarion Sawyer, Johnta Smith of Thomasville, Georgia; one brother, Freddy Mathis of Douglasville, Georgia; six sisters, Johnnie (Nathaniel) Guyton of Sale City, Georgia, Gloria (Willie D.) Bryant of Sale City, Georgia, Gladys Donerlson of Columbus, Georgia, Gwennett (Calvin) Turner of Ruckersville, Virginia, Brenda (Joseph) Sessions of Sale City, Georgia, Carol Mathis of Sale City, Georgia; a sister-in-law, Rose Mathis of Meigs, Georgia; two stepsons, Steddrick Wakefield and Theron Wakefield of Albany, Georgia; a very special friend, Dewayne Burley of Camilla, Georgia; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a city that he cherished dearly.