Alfred L. Mathews, Sr.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Alfred L. Mathews, Sr. at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in St. Rita Catholic Church with Rev. Craig Scott, Rev. Dan Cook and Rev. Paul LaPalme officiating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, March 27, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will resume on Tuesday, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Kramer Chapel. Alfred L. Mathews, Sr., 86, of Alexandria, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017, peacefully in his residence. He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, the love of his life, Betty Ruth Wilder Mathews, his parents, Lawrence and Rosa Michiels Mathews; five brothers, Huey Mathews, Tom Mathews, O'Hearn Mathews, Charles Mathews, and John Mathews; and four sisters Oralee VanHoof, Inez Jeansonne, Delores Perkins, and Myrthlee VanHoof. Alfred was born on December 1, 1930 on Bayou Rapides. He attended St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Grammar School and Menard Memorial High School. Alfred worked for French Unique Cleaners with his brothers Charles and Tom. Later he drove a special education school bus for Rapides Parish until his retirement in 1993. He volunteered for St. Rita Catholic Church driving children to daily Mass from school at the air base to church. Alfred had a special place in his heart for the children at St. Mary's Training School. He was a charter member of St. Rita Catholic Church, a member of the Amicus Club, Knights of Columbus Council 1134, Msgr. Pigay Assembly 328, Belgian American Club, St. Rita Wise Crackers, and served on the board of St. Rita Credit Union. Alfred enjoyed fishing and hunting deer and turkeys. His favorite fishing spots were Iatt Lake, Spring Bayou and Cleco. He was a wonderful, devoted, loving family man. His faith and family were his life. He is survived by his children: Alfred Louis Mathews, Jr. and wife Judy of Alexandria, Tammie Woodington and her husband, Ryon of Alexandria, and Cynthia Ann Sayes and husband Kenneth Paul of Woodworth; seven grandchildren: Erica Lauren Ware Hinds and husband Dustin of Broussard, Justin Mathew Ware and his wife Heather, Ross Alfred Mathews, and Paul Lawrence Mathews all of Alexandria, Jennifer Mathews Keeton and her husband Sam of West Monroe, Lauren Sayes Davis and her husband Brandon, and Kathryn Marie Sayes of Woodworth; one great grandchild, Nolan Mathew Hinds; one sister, Shirley Brouillette and her husband "Nap" of Alexandria, his sister-in-law, Helen Mathews Smart, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Alfred also leaves behind his dear friend, Pat Lohman. Pallbearers honored to serve will be Justin Ware, Ross Mathews, Paul Mathews, Dustin Hinds, Brandon Davis and Sam Keeton. The family wishes to thank his wonderful doctors, Dr. Robert Freedman, Jr. and Dr. John Michael Smith at the Freedman Clinic, the staff of Cabrini Congestive Heart Clinic, the wonderful staff at Compassionate Care Hospice, and Debbie Setliff, his sitter. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Rita Building Fund at 4401 Bayou Rapides Rd., Alexandria, LA 71303; or to the Knights of Columbus Council #1134 at PO Box 7696, Alexandria, LA 71306To extend online notes of condolence to the family of Mr. Alfred Mathews, please visit www.KramerFunerals.com.