Rebecca “Beckie” Lynn Mathis

Year Inducted: 2023

Beckie Mathis was born in Wilkes County, parents Archie and Patsy Marie Mathis, one sister Deborah (Debbie) Summers. Beckie attended Wilkes County Schools graduating from Wilkes Central High School serving as the Head Drummer and lettering in Basketball and Tennis. She attended Wilkes Community College playing on the Men’s Tennis Team in positions one, two and three.  Transferring to Appalachian State University she completed an undergraduate degree in Physical Education K-12 and a Masters of Educational Media and Instructional Technology.  She is a National Board-Certified Teacher in Physical Education Grades K-12.  Miss Mathis maintains a Health Education Certificate from Duke University for Middle School Health grades 6-8. 

Completing a career teaching Physical Education of 32 years including coaching basketball, softball and tennis her instruction was never limited within the school system. She established a program of tennis (and pickleball) for youth and adults. Some families have enjoyed three generations of her teaching from grandparents, parents to children. Beckie was Ranked #2 in Doubles and #5 in Singles in NC for over ten years. She presently teaches at the LuckyDog Tennis and Pickleball Club that she established in 2014, teaches at the Blue Ridge Mountain Club where she teaches classes and Directs Tournaments. She continues to conduct Free Youth and Adult Pickleball Clinics in Wilkes County.   

Her current instruction methods include certification from numerous professional tennis and pickleball professionals and organizations.  To name a few: United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Certified Elite Professional, Professional Tennis Registry - Professional (PTR), Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) Professional and a Masters in Tennis Junior Development (MOT) studying the child from birth to 18 years of age. Pat Etcheberry Certification – speed, agility, movement for the tournament player; Level 3 Specialist Ages 11-17, Judy Murrays’ Miss Hits for Girls Ages 4-8, age appropriate equipment and games for young girls, Professional Tennis Certification for ages ten and under. Miss Mathis was selected to be a USAP   Pickleball Ambassador for Wilkes County in 2021 and in 2022 was selected to be the NC District Pickleball Ambassador (North) covering nine counties. Beckie continues to offer free instruction in tennis and pickleball, and continues to direct tournaments for worthy causes. 

Supporting causes for the betterment of the community have been in the forefront of her life activities. Most recently (2022) Miss Mathis was asked by the Blue Star Mothers (mothers of active or prior military) Chapter NC 10 to direct a Pickleball Tournament. For the 1^st annual tournament the goal of five hundred ($500.00) exceeded eleven thousand, five hundred ($11,500).  She served as Director of the Yadkin Valley Greenway Pickleball tournament (spring 2022) that garnered six thousand dollars ($6,000) for maintenance of the greenway. She directed The Samaritans Kitchen Pickleball tournament (fall 2021), Rally for the Cure (tennis) and Paws for the Cause (Breast Cancer) which was a dog walk. As always, she was searching for creative and fun means to raise revenue for needy and worthwhile causes. Beckie has been traveling to Negril, Jamaica annually for the past ten years teaching children and adults tennis.

She is a past North Carolina SHAPE Jump rope for Heart Coordinator, and with her personal leadership raised over $150,000 for the American Heart Association. Her efforts attained over $10,000 leading students to be part of the restoration of the Statue of Liberty in 1984.  In 2016 Beckie received the “Jump Rope for Heart” Coordinator of the Year for N.C. in 2016. Beckie was also chosen as the NC PTR Professional Tennis Registry Member of the Year 2020.

Miss Mathis remains part of civic and church organizations giving both time and money. A lover of animals, she annually supports the Humane Society, Wilkes County Schools by volunteering, donating gift certificates for lessons, classes and rackets to elementary and high schools. She has donated over $5,000 to the Wilkes YMCA Silver Club, Wilkes Art gallery, and supports programs abroad such as the “Tennis Racquets for Children '' in Kenya to help with the needs of children requested by coaches.

Miss Mathis is an active member of the North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church where she has served as a Children’s Bible School Teacher, Outreach for Children’s Church and as a Vacation Bible School Teacher for numerous years. 

Beckie Mathis has used sports as a vehicle to benefit adults and children of Wilkes County. Whether articulating the basics of a game or teaching sportsmanship, raising money for needy causes or coordinating community activity she has shown sincerity and determination to broaden the scope of activities for the people of Wilkes County. Beckie is presently sponsored by Head Racquet Sports and Selkirk Pickleball.