John Matthews

John A. Matthews passed away August 15, 2008 at 75 years of age in Clovis. He was born in Sikeston, Missouri to Ben O and Jennie Matthews on June 14, 1933. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2008 at Central Baptist Church in Clovis. Burial will be held in The Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, Missouri.Pallbearers will be Wiley Snyder, Don Bell, Allen Kelley, Charles Stockton, Jack Donahey, Jack Muse, Bryce Storrie, Homer Tankersley, and Paul Matherly.

John touched many lives of young people of Central Baptist Church during the 14 years he served as Youth Director. Therefore, to honor John in the best possible way, the family would like to name these youth as Honorary Pallbearers. John accepted the Lord when he was 7 years old and was a member of Central Baptist Church at the time of his death. He loved the Lord first, but his family was his pride and joy. He loved to tell stories and was in the process of writing a book of memoirs. An opportunity to travel or have a good time was always welcomed by John.

John served as Music and Youth Minister in churches in Kentucky, Texas, and New Mexico. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Murray State University in Kentucky. He received his graduate degree from South West Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a lifetime member of Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity and sang with the New Mexico Singing Churchmen. He co-owned JL Glass Company as a young man in Sikeston, Missouri. He published a cookbook, Americas No. 1 Mexican Cookbook in 1987.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sharon; a daughter , Dena Doc Blackwell of Keller, Texas; one son Thomas Matthews of McAllen, Texas; one grandson, Matthew Blackwell of Keller, Texas; two brothers Lee Lillian and Don Betty of Sikeston, Missouri; several nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister in law, Helen. The family request that memorial contributions be made to the Central Baptist Youth Building Fund.Arrangements are under the direction of Steed Todd Funeral Home 800 E Manana Blvd Clovis, New Mexico 88101 575 763-5541 www.steedtodd.com

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