September 6, 1936 ~ April 8, 2022 (age 85)
Leo Ray Matthews, age 85, of Saltillo, Texas went home to be with his Lord Jesus, Friday, April 8, 2022. He was born September 6,1936, in Pine Forest to William E. Matthews and Addie Hokes Matthews. Leo was a faithful member of the Weaver Baptist Church and loved Jesus Christ with all his heart.
Funeral services for Leo will be held at noon Monday, April 11, 2022, at Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior, at 11 a.m., with Brother Tom Friday officiating. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Richard Parris, Ronnie Parris, James Parris, Stephen Matthews, Ron Johnson, and Rodney Clinard. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Matthews, Christopher Matthews and Jordan Swindell.
Leo proudly served our country in the United States Army from December of 1959 to March of 1962 in the 3rd Armored Division, Company D, 2nd Armed Rifle Battalion, 48th Infantry at Army Base named Coleman Kaserne in Gelhausen, Germany, achieving the rank of SP4.
Leo worked for H.D. Lee Company in Sulphur Springs, Texas for 12 years. He then worked for the Mount Vernon School District as a Maintenance Technician for 19 years, before retiring.
Leo developed a love of beautiful fine antiques while stationed in Europe. He was one of the original “pickers” of antiques, traveling countrywide along with his sister and brother in law, Molly and Leroy White. He meticulously cared for his home and property, spending hours grooming his yard every summer. He had a soft spot in his heart for animals, taking in and spoiling many strays that showed up at his house. His faithful companion, Smut misses him dearly.
He loved the simple life and enjoyed spending hours visiting with family under the shade of a big tree or wherever the family was. A devoted son and brother, he spent his entire life caring for his parents, brothers and sisters as each one struggled through their health challenges, he was there to help and walk beside each of them till they were called home.
He was involved in all his nieces’ and nephews’ lives, and always welcomed them with open arms when they came to visit. Uncle Leo was the surrogate father to all of them, but also the “cool uncle” that instilled in your life lessons and values in a fun way until you forced him not to be cool, then he would insist you walk the straight and narrow and tow the line! He never met a stranger and was always a positive influence on those he met. He had a phenomenal ability to recall facts, events and names of people he met all of his life. His love of people was genuine and driven by his love of God and His commandment in Matthew 22: 36-40, to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Leo is survived by his brother, Kenneth Lollar; sister, Margie Cooper; two sisters-in-law, Cynthia Matthews and Deborah Pope; nieces, Barbara Harris, Susan Weaver, Sarah Stelzer and husband John, Kay Clinard and husband Rodney, Juanita Matthews and husband Ron Johnson; nephews, Richard Parris and wife Patricia, Ronnie Parris and wife Sharon, James Parris, Stephen Matthews and wife Gina, Michael Matthews and Faith, and Christopher Matthews and wife Sonji.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Evelyn Matthews, sisters, Mollie White and Bobbie Parris; brothers, Roy Matthews, Derrell Matthews, and Benny Matthews; nephews, David Parris and Alan Parris; great-nephew, Casey Parris; brother in law, Leroy White; sister-in-law, Laquita Matthews.
Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.samharveyfuneralhome.com
