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Willis (Matt) Earl Matthews, Sr., 81, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Passages Hospice in New Orleans, LA. He was born on August 25, 1935 in Summit, MS, to his parents Tannie and Gladys (Brown) Matthews.
Willis graduated from Summit High School in Summit, MS. He served in the United States Army with the 3rd Armored Division, as a Spec. 5 from 1958 until 1964. He retired in August of 1985 as a retail manager with T.G.&Y. Stores Co. in South LA. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, Ascension Of Our Lord Church in Laplace, LA, Brotherhood of Kennedy Springs Baptist Church in Magee, deacon at New Life Baptist Church and Old Vicksburg Baptist Church.
He is survived by a son, Willis (Matt) Earl Matthews, Jr. and fiance Alicia DeSilvey; two daughters, Kelley Margarget Richard (James, Jr.) and Laura Michelle Mehaffey (Mark); former wife, Marilyn Gail Helmke; brothers, Richard Burley Matthews (Georgia) and Ronnie Edward Matthews (Judy); sisters, Maida Lynn Wells and Gladys Ellen Johns (Willie); grandchildren, Gabrielle Matthews, Noelle Matthews, Elisabeth St. Pierre (Willie), James Richard, III (Bree), Kaitlyn Potts (Gary) and Blake Mehaffey (Jacquelyn); great-grandchildren, Willie Joseph St. Pierre, Jr. and Adelaide Mehaffey; many beloved nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Esther (James) Matthews; brother, Benard Matthews; sisters, Dorris Adams and Evelyn Hodges.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at Tutor Funeral Home in Magee. Services are scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. with Bro. David Allen and Bro. Chris Johns officiating. Interment will follow in the Kennedy Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Magee.
Arrangements are entrusted with Tutor Funeral Home of Magee.
The Matthews family would like to extend a special thank you to the Sonny Montgomery VA Hospital and Passages Hospice.
