Donald Matthews

Donald "Don" F. Matthews, 89, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away Monday, 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 was a former longtime member of Miner (Missouri) Baptist Church.

Loving survivors include his wife, Betty Bretz Matthews of Jackson; three children and their spouses, David and Terri Matthews of Sikeston, the Rev. Jim and Debbie Matthews of Jackson and Lea Ann and Ross Brummett of Jefferson City, Tennessee; 10 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; and Mary (Stephen) Franks; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Matthews; two brothers, Lee O. 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 at Cape County Cowboy church near Oak Ridge. There is no visitation. Interment will be private at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston, where Don will be laid to rest next to Helen.

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.

Arrangements are by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

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