Cover photo for Rilla B. Mattison's Obituary
In Memory Of
Rilla B. Mattison
1929 2025

Rilla B. Mattison

January 12, 1929 — June 22, 2025

Dayton

Rilla B. Watkins Mattison was born to Curtis and Pearl Watkins on January 12, 1929, in Rogersville, Alabama. She was born the sixth of eleven children. She tells the story of picking cotton at a young age and missing many days of school. Rilla was always persistent and committed to completing what she set her mind to doing. Hence, she would not leave Alabama until she proudly graduated from high school in 1950 at the age of 21. In the early 1950s, the Watkins sisters - Rilla, Alcerean, Rezelene (Lena), Valerie, Arizona, Iunice, and Ceretha- would begin new lives and families in Dayton, Ohio. However, her sister, Eloise (Ella), would settle in Alabama with her husband. Rilla and her sisters would be considered in our history books as members of “The Great Migration”, that period in American history when descendants of formerly enslaved and sharecropping African Americans left the South, seeking hope and a new life in the northern states.

In Dayton, Rilla worked until she suffered an injury. She married George Mattison and had three sons: James “Pepper”, Alphonso “PeeWee”, and Randall “Poss”. She was very creative, which was evident in the unique decorations she always made in her home and the new words she created, such as "Tschutum" (bathroom).

Rilla loved the Lord, and if you were going to spend time in her presence, it would be to talk about His goodness. She would always quiz visitors on the Word of God, or try to make sure that you understood the scriptures. She is now in glory, rejoicing in the presence of Jesus.

Rilla was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Pearl, her 10 siblings, her sons, James and Alphonso, and her granddaughter, Rolanda. She is survived by her son, Randall, her god-daughter/niece Lashonda “Panne”, her grandchildren, Angel (Edward), Darrell (Pearl), Dylon, MeShell (Paul), and Leslie. Her great-grandchildren, LeAndra, Trevon, Darrell Jr., Lamarr, Alexander (Drea), D’Marie, Kalynne, Kameron, Ruben, and Alphonso; her great-great-grand children Alayah, Kashus, Akhil, and a host of nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

There may never be a building named after Rilla, but there will be a legacy of faith in God, love of people, and wisdom in action that will persist throughout the generations.

To share a memory of Rilla or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rilla B. Mattison, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Graveside Service

Friday, July 25, 2025

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

Add to Calendar

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

118 Woodland Ave, Dayton, OH 45409

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 143

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree