Raymond Lee Matthews

Raymond ‘Ray’ Lee Matthews was born July 28, 1931, in Parkin, Arkansas, son of Roy Lee Matthews and Mary Edna Turner Matthews. He was raised on a houseboat on the St. Francis River in Parkin. He had two brothers, Roy Jr. and Robert ‘Bob’ Samuel Matthews and a twin sister Ruth Imogene Matthews Gibbons. After graduating from Parkin High School in 1949, he eloped to Hernando Mississippi with Joan Clayton Brown on May 20, 1949. He played football for Parkin until he broke his arm. A new doctor in Memphis came up with a way to fixit or they thought they were going to amputate but the Doctor asked the family to give him a chance and it worked. He was in Naval Air Reserves during high school. He enlisted into the Air Force after marriage and was stationed in Casablanca in North Africa during the Korean Conflict living in a tent in the desert helping build an airstrip. He also spent some time in St. Charles, Louisiana. After honorably serving, he returned to live in Wynne, Arkansas. Ray held several different jobs in Wynne, Arkansas. He was a man of many different talents, and he shared that knowledge with everyone. He was Soda Jerk, Short Order Cook, Sold Autoparts, Repaired Appliances, Sold Polio Insurance, Sold Health Insurance, ran a Service Station, owned a Radiator Shop, Fixed Sears Appliances, Sold Farm Equipment, and Sold New York Life Insurance for over 50 years. Made NYL Club the first year which is unusual and 25 more years in a row. He wanted a NYL Ring, and he got it. He wore those rings every day. His work habits were outstanding and noticeable by his family. Ray and Joan had two children, one son, Randy Matthews, and one daughter, Mona Rhoades. He enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, shooting pool, playing cards and traveling. Him and Joan had an RV and traveled most of the United States, some of Mexico and Canada. While work encompassed his life, he also was Mayor of Wynne, part of Shriners International, and member of the Rotary Club. He loved music and dancing. Several of his friends would get together for Pickin and Grinning (playing guitar, piano and lots of singing). Joan and he were excellent dancers and spent many a Saturday night outdancing. He was also known for his famous Birthday Song which he sang at Rotary and of course every birthday party he attended. Ray was a member of the United Methodist McElroy Church. He had been living in The Villages, Florida since November 2023 with his daughter Mona and husband Michael Rhoades. He enjoyed making new friends (if you knew him you would know he does not know any strangers), going for a golf cart ride and going to the town square to listen to music. He got to experience his first and second hurricanes while there. He is survived by his daughter Mona Rhoades and husband Michael of The Villages, Florida, three grandchildren, Stacy and wife Josette Matthews of Pangburg, Arkansas, Dawn and husband Tim Oswald of Coldwater, Mississippi, and Monica Rhoades of Clearwater, Florida; five greatgrandchildren, Skyler Keeton, Lennon Taylor, Molly Matthews, Aiden Matthews, and Lani Matthews; two great-grandsons, Asher and Adam Keeton. Ray is preceded in death by his wife Joan in 2015, his son Randy in 2011, his parents, and his siblings. Ceremony of Life will be at United Methodist McElroy Church on March 15, 2025, at McElroy Methodist Church at 10 AM with burial in Cogbill Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit from 9 am until 10 am before the service. Memorials given in honor of Ray can be sent to Alzheimer’s at https://alzfdn.org/ and click on donate. Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com

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Raymond Lee Matthews

July 28, 1931 - November 30, 2024