Name/Title
Mathis, AlmaEntry/Object ID
9999.BHF.331Scope and Content
Mathis, Alma
St. Joseph News-Press February 26, 2006 is a tribute paid to local black pioneers. The writer is Alonzo Weston. Alma Mathis was community activist and civil rights crusader. She took up where Kelsy Beshears left off as a lobbyist and advocate for the black St. Joseph community. She was a devoted chairwoman and president of several groups in the city, including the Community Police Advisory Committee, St. Joseph Housing Board, Intra-Neighborhood Awareness Group and Buchanan County Democratic Women. She also served as president of the local chapter of the NAACP.
St. Joseph Telegraph February 22, 1990 photocopy has an article about Alma Mathis heads local NAACP. For two years Alma has been president of the St. Joseph Chapter, serving as a watchdog against injustice. Her 2 year term expires in December and she plans to run for re-election. The NAACP watches to see that equality of justice exists between all people Ten complaints were investigated this year. Most were job, school and court related. Alma Mathis was born and raised in Oklahoma, she has lived in St. Joseph since 1962. She and her husband, William have four sons, three of whom live in St, Joseph and one who lives in Olatha, Kansas.
St. Joseph News-Press photocopy has a picture of Alma Mathis and Frederica Nix at Mrs. Mathis going-away party at the Trinity Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri She is leaving for Seattle to live with her son. She lobbied and advocated as one of St. Joseph's black leaders She came to St. Joseph in 1970. She is now 72 and leaving to live with her son, Charles. She said her participation in the Job Corps was the most gratifying. It was important because it gave people opportunities. They were able to get their diplomas and go on to school Education is very important. Not one to be a hypocrite, she at the age of 69 earned her high school diploma.
St. Joseph News-Press December 4, 2002 Alma Mathis died of a stroke Sunday in an Olympia Washington nursing facility. She was 73. She is remembered for the works she did in the community during the 40-plus years she lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. Rep. Glenda Kelly, D-St. Joseph , a longtime friend said Alma did so much in the community that she thinks we are a better community for her efforts. She moved to St. Joseph from Boswell OK with her husband, William and family in 1960. She worked for Methodist Medical Center, where she retired as a ward clerk in 1990.
Mr Chandler described his mother as a strong black woman who was principled. She was strict, but had a large heart. She worked with St. Joseph mayor Larry Stobbs. He remembered her as a strong willed, good adviser who had a big heart.
She is survived by four sons, Charles, Thomas, William and Marcus. She also is survived by four sisters Tommie James, Lela Hightower Claudette James and Betty Jean Matubby.
There is a newspaper picture of her when she received her high school equivalency diploma in 1998.
2016, Feb. 10. St. Joseph News-Press
"St. Joe has black heroes, too". Alonzo Weston column about Alma's community service.Collection
Black ArchivesLexicon
Search Terms
St. Joseph Chapter NAACP, Black History, NAACPRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Charles ChandlerPerson or Organization
Tomas ChandlerPerson or Organization
William ChandlerPerson or Organization
Marcus ChandlerPerson or Organization
Tommie JamesPerson or Organization
Lela HightowerPerson or Organization
Claudette JamesPerson or Organization
Betty Jean MatusbbyPerson or Organization
Stobbs, LarryPerson or Organization
Glenda KellyPerson or Organization
Alma MathisPerson or Organization
Frederica Nix
