Ralph Clayton Matthews

Ralph Clayton Matthews, 91, of Farmington died Monday, January 6, 2014 at Presbyterian Manor. He was born October 8, 1922 in Madison County, son of the late John Franklin and Annie Adelia (Cook) Matthews.

 He married Miss Reba Lucille Vaughn February 12, 1944 in St. Louis.

In addition to his parents Mr. Matthews was preceded in death by grandson Christopher Shane Matthews; brothers Mason Matthews, John G. Matthews, Stewart Matthews and Ulysses Matthews; and sisters Lillian Pope, Hester Yount, Tressie Griffon, and Minnie Shrum.

Survivors include his wife Reba Lucille Matthews of Farmington; son Gary Matthews of Fredericktown; daughter Susan Matthews of Denver, Colo.; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister Norma Jean Zettwoch of Creve Coeur, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Ralph grew up around Fredericktown, where he attended school. He spent most of his life in the mining industry, working as a government safety inspector, a miner for the St. Joseph Lead Company, and as a company mine inspector for FMC Corporation in Green River Wyo., before retiring in 1985 and returning to Missouri. He was a faithful and long-time member of the Farmington Free Will Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was a capable and self-taught carpenter and built two different homes for Reba and himself. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and particularly reading and studying the Holy Bible.

Funeral services were Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory in Farmington with Pastor Roger Hogan officiating. Burial was at Hillview Memorial Gardens.

 cozeanfuneralhome.com