Don Matthews

JACKSON, Mo. — Donald “Don” F. Matthews, 89, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away Jan. 25, 2021, at his home in Jackson.

He was born Aug.4, 1931, in Sikeston, to Ben O. and Jennie P. Watts Matthews.  Don was a graduate of Sikeston High School. During the Korean War, he honorably served in the U.S. Air Force from Jan. 5, 1951 to Oct. 8, 1954.

He and Helen C. Maynard were married Dec. 22, 1951, in Savannah, Georgia. Their union was blessed with three children, David, Jim, and Lea Ann. Don farmed many years in Sikeston and worked 26 years at the State Employment Office. He and Helen had been married 55 years when Helen passed away March 27, 2007. Don later married Betty Lou Mouser Bretz.

Don was a member of Cape County Cowboy Church near Oak Ridge and a former longtime member of Miner Baptist Church.

Loving survivors include his wife, Betty Bretz Matthews of Jackson; three children and their spouses:  David and Terri Matthews of Sikeston; Rev. Jim and Debbie Matthews of Jackson; and Lea Ann and Ross Brummett of Jefferson City, Tennessee; ten grandchildren: Ryan (Hillary) Matthews; Katie (Tyler) Lorberg; Jennie (Mike) Buck; Molly Matthews Brummett Wudel and husband James Wudel; Will (Grace) Brummett; Wendi Limbaugh; Hallie (Eric) Bronner; Amy (Lyle) Malloy; Clay (Jan) Matthews; Mary (Stephen) Franks; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Matthews; two brothers, Lee O. Matthews and John A. Matthews; a grandson, Ben Matthews; and his parents.

Guests are invited to celebrate Don’s life and the God who blessed us with him at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at Cape County Cowboy church near Oak Ridge. There is no visitation. Interment is private at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston, where Don will be laid to rest next to Helen.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Cape County Cowboy Church.

Flowers, plants, and gifts may be delivered to the church after 8:30 a.m. Please, no deliveries to the funeral home.

To send an online condolence to the family, please visit mccombsfuneralhome.com, navigate to Don’s personal obituary page, and click on the tribute wall tab.