Community Corner

Moses Mathis, "The Bicycle Man" Dies at 76

In its 23rd year, Mathis' bicycle ministry made thousands of kids happy each year at Christmas.

Sentiments and well wishes flooded the Fayetteville social media community Monday afternoon after the death of Moses Mathis spread in the early afternoon.

Moses Mathis, 76, knick-named Fayetteville's "Bicycle Man" died in his sleep on Monday morning according to his wife Ann Mathis. She shared that he had been battling congestive heart failure.

His ministry was in its 23rd year and seemed to grow each and every year from the number of bikes donated, to the number of volunteers.

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Thanks to Mathis, thousands of Fayetteville kids picked out new, or nearly new bicycles the week before Christmas. It was not uncommon for lines of families to form along the sidewalks outside of his buildings as the Fayetteville Police directed traffic. 

Mathis along with his team of volunteers accepted donated bikes throughout the year and then restored them to give to children whose families cannot afford to buy a bicycle. His wife Ann said the ministry will continue this year but does not its fate after the Christmas season.

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With over 4,000 volunteer hours Mathis was presented  the President's Volunteer Service Award on December 22, 2006 by President George W. Bush.

For years Mathis struggled to find a permanent spot to store and fix up the thousands of bicycles. Each year local businesses, churches and property owners have leased Mathis space for $1, but given the state of the economy lately, Mathis was operating out of his fifth location in the last six years.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced, but this funeral will be well attended and Mathis is sure to be honored by the Fayetteville community.


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