May 17, 1935 – Dec. 17, 2022
Gloria Bessie “Bea” Mathis, 87, of Cottage Grove, Ore. passed away Dec. 17, 2022.
Bea was born May 17, 1935 in Newberg, Ore. to parents Fred and Juanita (Counts) Cranmer, and raised in Culp Creek, Ore.
After graduating from high school, she served in the United States Air Force and received the National Defense Service Medal.
Bea was a homemaker and she served as a Brownie, Girl Scout, and Cub Scout Leader for her children when they were young. Bea loved exploring the greater northwest with her family, and camping. She traveled to England numerous times, and she enjoyed hosting large family gatherings. Bea was a member of the Moose and Elks Lodge.
She is survived by her daughter Juanita Mathis of Cool, Calif.; daughter Vera Pappe and husband Gerard of Salem, Ore.; son Charles Mathis and wife Lisa; sister Bernice “Bunny” Baskette of Cottage Grove; nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Bea was preceded in death by her husband Charles Mathis and son Leroy “Buck” Mathis.
A memorial service will be held Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Cottage Grove VFW. Inurnment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Happy Valley, Ore.
