In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it is said "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
Dana Matthew Mattox, father, brother, uncle, and friend, transitioned peacefully to his eternal home on Wednesday July, 16th surrounded by his family.
Dana was born on December 25th, 1963 to the late Frankie and Vivian Mattox. He was the 2nd oldest of their 6 children. In his young life Dana attended Franklin County Public schools graduating in 1982. Dana received salvation and was baptized in his youth.
To know Dana was to know him as a jokester, the life of the party, a friend to all, a fierce competitor on the field as well as the court. He was a DIEHARD fan of the Dallas Cowboys and an avid sports fan. His charisma and larger than life personality were magnets to all who knew and loved him. Dana’s smile was warm, infectious, and a constant representation of the joy he lived life with.
Dana’s story is one filled with trials and struggles, but ultimately one of grace, resilience, and ultimately redemption. Just a few years ago Dana dedicated himself to revolutionizing his life; walking away from addictions that had plagued him, a choice that would ultimately impact the lives of countless others in the Roanoke Valley. Through his work at the Roanoke Rescue Mission, Dana began to help other people overcome and recover from addiction, allowing so many to regain their freedom and joy of life. Through his work and his recovery, Dana found the same. Rebuilding relations that had been previously broken, finding joy in life, experiencing growth, health, and freedom. We remember Dana as a human, no different from ourselves; one who faced temptation in the reality of this mortal world. We celebrate him this day and every day forward for running his race, keeping the fight, and in the end being the person we all knew he could be. A man who was a champion for good, a soldier in Gods army meant to bring others with him, a man of faith in troubled times, a leader in times of uncertainty, a man who fell but at the end still got up.
Family members welcoming Dana to his eternal home are his mother and father, Vivian and Frankie Mattox. His maternal grandparents Margaret and Hercile Smith. His paternal grandparents Della and Robert Arrington. Those left to cherish Dana’s memory and continue his legacy are his daughter Dasia Mattox (Roanoke, VA). His siblings Anthony (Nikki) Holland, Cindy (James) Mackenhimer, Tammie (Vance) Legans, Fred Townes (Tabatha Kromer), Holly (Anthony) Tolliver, Dale (Sue) Townes, Eric (Amanda) Hughes all of Rocky Mt., VA. Along with many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
2 Corinthians 5:8 says “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Father.” This is a loss that will take time to accept, but we rejoice in the fact that Dana is home with family and we will all see him again someday.
Funeral services will be held at the Pigg River Community Center, 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2025. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.