James Matthews, age 73, of Liberty passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at his residence.

Mr. Matthews was born to the late John Oval and Betty Frances Murphy. He is also preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters, Martha Todd, Patrica Shoemake, Jena Hesson, Brenda Taylor, Helen Ervin, William Matthews, Willie Matthews & Terry Murphy; and one grandchild, Tyler Durden. He was also a retired foreman at Pirtle Nursery.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years Darlene Matthews of Liberty; eight children, Debbie Nokes, Charlotte Parsley, Sherry (Wesley) Chandler, Darlene Grisham, Tonya (Shannon) Cantrell, Greg (Trudie) Matthews, Priscilla (Bobby) Mingle, & Chris (Dana) Stanley; 18 grandchildren: Jessica (Shannon) Anderson, Brandon (Kalah) Donnell, Noah Parsley, Amanda England, Dillan Matthews, Hannah Grisham, Justin Grisham, Kaylee Cantrell, Levi Cantrell, Christian Matthews, Zachery Matthews, Austin McCoy, Nikki (Joey) Pillow, Brittany (Gage) Mingle, Zackary Stanley, Caleb Gingeridge, Harlee Stanley & Seth Stanley; 12 great-grandchildren; five brothers and sisters: Pamela (Kevin) Cain, Roy (Debbie) Matthews, Randall Neal, Doug (Norma) Murphy and Kathy Murphy (Ruben Vega); one brother-in-law Grady Taylor; and one sister-in-law Rita Matthews; a host of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 5 at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home with interment following in DeKalb Cemetery. Bro. Bobby Thompson officiated.

Serving as pallbearers were Brandon Donnell, Dillan Matthews, Noah Parsley, Levi Cantrell, Christian Matthews, Zackary Stanley, Caleb Gingeridge, Zachery Matthews and Seth Stanley.

Please make donations to the DeKalb Co. Animal Shelter in Mr. Matthews’s memory.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements.

Smithville Review

(Smithville, Tenn.)

June 10, 2020