Howard Lee Matthews

Rev. Howard Lee Matthews, 82, of Owensboro, passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at his home, lovingly surrounded by his precious family. Born on January 14, 1931 in Pattieville Kentucky to Ira and Mary Walker Matthews, Howard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and friend. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. W. Harold Matthews, missionary to the Philippines; a sister, Katherine Matthews; grandson, Kevin Morgan Matthews; and granddaughter, Stefanie Alyss Matthews.

The Rev. Matthews was a Baptist minister, having been ordained at the Hartford Baptist Church in April of 1951. His formal education included Hartford High School (Valedictorian) and Western Kentucky University. He taught school in Ohio County and in 1953 went to the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, where he received his Master of Divinity Degree. In August of 1952, he married the former Thelma Jean Carr and they recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Bro. Howard began preaching in Muhlenburg County with BSU teams during his college days, served several small congregations in Ohio County, and went on to serve as pastor of several Southern Baptist churches, including Zion, Mount Zion, Buffalo, Whitesville, and Utica Baptist Churches in Kentucky and Northeast Park Baptist Church in Evansville. He retired from Fordsville Baptist Church in 1995, and during his retirement, served as interim pastor to 17 congregations and preached sermons in over 55 churches. During his career, he served as president of the Kentucky Baptist Evangelism Conference and president of the Indiana Baptist Evangelism Conference. In May of 2012, he was honored as Pastor Emeritus at Lewis Lane Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Thelma Carr Matthews, sons Daniel (Teresa) Matthews, Luke (Cam) Matthews, all of Daviess Co., Robert (Melissa) Matthews of Birmingham, AL, daughters Betty Jane Matthews (David) Pettit and Andrea Matthews (Brian) White, all of Daviess Co.

There are nine grandchildren: Erin Matthews (Brad) Cecil, Sarah Matthews (Lee) Rudy, Lindsay Matthews (Joe) O'Bryan, David Howard (Lauren) Pettit, John Matthew (Mary) Pettit, Annie-Laurie Pettit (Dr. Adrian) Yeiser, Jamieson Matthews, Michael Matthews, and Brittany Feistel (Zach) Gholson.

Great grandchildren are Cole and Anna Belle Cecil, Laura Lee and Walker Rudy, Mason Pettit, Melrose and Ruby Pettit, Leif and Walt Yeiser, and Abram and Heidi Grace Gholson. Two sisters also survive, Dorothy Whitman of Hawesville and Elda Gribbins of Mt. Washington, a sister-in-law, Clara Matthews of St. Matthews, and several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 21, at Lewis Lane Baptist Church followed by a family committal graveside service at Utica Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-6:00 P.M. Sunday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and from 9:00-11:00 A.M. Monday at Lewis Lane Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Kentucky Baptist Foundation, 13420 Eastpoint Centre Drive, P. O. Box 436389, Louisville, KY 40253-6389. Online condolences may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.