Dawn Mathis, age 50, of Valley Springs, Arkansas, passed away Friday, May 7, 2021. She was born November 28, 1970, to Billie Balke. She graduated from Bergman High School and the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Pathology Education and Master's Degree in Education from UCA. She married her hero, Kent Mathis, and they both began their careers as teachers in the Harrison area after college.

Dawn dedicated her career and life to teaching, and most of her career was spent at the Valley Springs Elementary School. Her passion was teaching students to read and offering opportunities for all students, no matter their background, to succeed. She loved hosting book clubs and Science Fairs and was famous for getting to school an hour early to greet students in the hallway with music, a big smile, and an even bigger hug.

Dawn especially loved her church family at Ozark Baptist Church in Bergman, Arkansas. She had a part in nearly every ministry: nursery, teaching, organizing summer church camp and writing and producing the annual Christmas play. Most of all, Dawn loved spending quality time with her family during their annual camping trip at the lake and talking around a toasty campfire at cookouts.

Dawn leaves behind her husband, Kent, and her son and daughter, Caleb and Anna Mathis.

She is also survived by her mother, Billie Balke; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Kelli Balke; brother in-law, Kevin Mathis and his daughter, Mary; sister in-law and her husband, Kristal and Michael Methvin and their children, Jacob, Makayla, and Kennedy; her in-laws, Ray and Barbara Mathis; close friends, Tammie Cantrell, Tamara Moorehouse and Susan Sumers; and other dear family members and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 13, from 5-8 p.m., and funeral services will be held Friday, May 14, at 2 p.m. Both the visitation and funeral will be located at Ozark Baptist Church in Bergman, Arkansas. Services will be officiated by Bro. Jamey James, Bro. Lee Ostten and Bro. George Smith. Burial will be in the Western Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Brandon Hartoonian, John Adams, Jason Canady, Jeff Cantrell, Scott Robinson, Clint Simmons, Danny Moorehouse, and Mitchell Archer.

Honorary Pallbearers are the staff at Claude Parrish Cancer Institute, the UAMS staff, Dr. Tom Langston, her church family and the staff and students at Valley Springs School.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Arkansas FFA Foundation, 301 Catherine Park Rd., Hot Springs, AR 71913; VSHS Class of 2019 Legacy Scholarship, 7349 School St, Valley Springs, AR 72682; or Hospice of the Hills, 501 E. Sherman, Harrison, AR.

Arrangements under the direction of Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison.  On-line condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.