June 20, 1929 – December 2, 2018
James W. Matthews, 89, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Sunday, December 2, 2018.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 7, 2018, at Morningside Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Dean and Rev. Roy Matthews officiating. A private interment will follow at Bethany Cemetery with his grandsons and nephews serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Senior Men’s Sunday School Class at Morningside Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Ivey Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.comwww.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, P. O. Box 7009, Bainbridge, GA 39818.
James Willis Matthews was born June 20, 1929 in Bainbridge, GA the son of James Wright Matthews and Gilbert Nichols Matthews. James lived his entire life in Decatur County. He was a graduate of Bainbridge High School, Class of 1946 and was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict. James married Billie L. White June 11, 1971.
James was an active member of Morningside Baptist Church for over 47 years and a deacon emeritus. He retired from Bainbridge State Hospital. He loved his family and his church. He especially loved his grandchildren and made sure each one felt special. When not spending time with his family, he enjoyed reading, Bible study and growing flowers.
Survivors include his children, Susan Thomas and her husband, Lee, Tim Matthews and his wife, Allyson, and Allan Gilbourn; his grandchildren Kale, Cooper, and London Thomas, Sara and Hunter Matthews, James Gilbourn, Jr., Will and Lyza Key; his great-grandchild, Brittany Gilbourn; his brothers Remus Matthews and Ralph “Doozie” Matthews; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. James was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, his son, James Gilbourn, Sr.; his sister Julia M. Boyd and brothers Oscar and Sidney Matthews.
