Shyverne Irita Mathis

Shyverne Irita Mathis was born on February 21, 1982, at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Anthony L. Mathis and Viia Irita Hubbard. She departed this life on May 14, 2026.

Shyverne attended Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she was baptized at a young age. She attended Pleasant Ridge Elementary, Eastern Hills Junior High School and Hughes High School. After graduating from high school, she went on to study social work at Wright State University and later earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Cincinnati. Shyverne went on to build a meaningful career as a social worker, helping many people navigate health challenges. She was also a notary public.

After graduating from UC, Shyverne moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she spent eight years. While in Charlotte, she met Demetrius Williams, whom she later married in Las Vegas. Although they eventually went their separate ways, they remained friends. Shyverne later returned to Cincinnati after her time in Charlotte.

In 2014, Shyverne welcomed her first and only child, Sidney Simone, who became the center of her world. Shyverne wore many hats for Sidney. She was a soccer coach, a Girl Scouts troop leader, and a devoted mother who made sure her daughter stayed active and engaged in many activities, including volleyball, karate, swimming, and involvement with Zeta Phi Beta youth programs. Near the end of her life, she would often say, “Keep my baby busy,” just as she always did. Shyverne was an excellent and loving mother.

Shyverne loved to travel, and after becoming a mother, she and Sidney were always on the move, making memories and exploring together.

Shyverne kept busy and lived her life with purpose and determination. She loved showing others what was possible and never stopped setting new goals for herself. She earned her degrees with pride and consistently encouraged family and friends to pursue their dreams as well. She will be deeply missed by both sides of her family, especially her

aunts, uncles, cousins, and the many loved ones she cher-ished throughout her life.

Shyverne was passionate about helping others through her work in social services and behavioral health. She valued the meaningful relationships she built with both colleagues and clients throughout her career. She worked for many years with Mercy Health and also held a part-time position at Blue Ridge Vista. The family is deeply grateful for the com-passion, encouragement, prayers, flexibility, and support shown by her coworkers and leadership teams at both workplaces, especially as Shyverne continued working cour-ageously until her battle with cancer became too difficult.

Shyverne leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Sidney Simone Harmon; her parents, Anthony L. Mathis and Viia Irita Hubbard; her brothers, Tione Williams, Tyjuan Mathis and Antwjuan Mathis; her godsister, Precious McKinley; her godmother, Sheila Smallwood; and her godfather, Kenny Pryor. She also leaves behind a host of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren, extended family members, friends, coworkers, and loved ones who will carry her memory, love, laughter, and strength with them always.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to everyone who loved, prayed for, encouraged, and supported Shyverne throughout her illness, whether through visits, calls, flowers, messages, meals, or acts of kindness from near and far. A special thank you is extended to her care-givers, LaAaron Mathis, David Mathis, Felicia Wilson, Adreanna “AJ” Steed, LaShawnda Crawley and Tamara Thrasher, for the care and support they provided during her time of need. The family is also deeply grateful for the love shown by Shyverne’s friends from the many chapters of her life, including her friends from Wright State and Charlotte, especially her friend, Sauncea Lancy (Ivory), as well as the many friends, family members, co-workers and loved ones who continually checked in, sent flowers and offered encouragement and prayers.

Shyverne was loved by many and leaves behind a host of cherished friends. She especially treasured her best friends and considered them her sisters: Chanel, Edna, Shona, Tamara and her “Original BFF,” Terri. She also deeply loved her godchildren, Jhada Thompson, Trinity and Jayden Thrasher.

She was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Dessie B. Petty and Barbara Mathis; her grandfathers, Clarence Moore and Sam Mathis; and other beloved family members, including Patrick Moore, Mark Mathis and Tobiyah Mathis

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