SAM JOE MATTHEWS

DEXTER -- Funeral services were held Sunday for Sam Joe Matthews, 88, of Dexter, died Friday, Dec. 31, 1993, at the Dexter Memorial Hospital.

He was born April 16, 1905, at Bloomfield, Mo., son of John and Addie Hopkins Matthews.

He married Vealer Irene McBroom, Nov. 8, 1929. She died Feb. 20, 1981.

Matthews lived in Stoddard County all his life and in Dexter since 1941.

He was a retired brakeman and conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

Survivors include three sons, J.C. Matthews of Moscow Mills, Mo., Jimmie Matthews of Dexter, Sammy Matthews of Sikeston; a daughter, Norma Ridings of St. Peters, Mo.; four half-sisters, Eunice Crenshaw, Edith Hodge and Thelma Bartz, all of St. Louis, Elsie Dine of Drexeler, Pa.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, a daughter, two brothers, three half-brothers, and a half-sister.