Fred A. Matthews, 90, of Tifton died Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at Southern Care Assisted Living. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012, in the Memorial Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Tifton. Dr. Wayne Roe and Dr. W. Ches Smith III will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Larry Lang, Gordon Campbell, Calvin Rewis, Troy Barber, Buddy Deloach and Robert Campbell will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Duane Melton, Jimmy Sirmans, Lee Bowen, Becky Brinkley, Rev. Paul Thomas, Jerry Johnson, Cindy Campbell and members of the American Legion Post #21. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Matthews was born on March 6, 1922 in Tift County and was the son of Robert (Bob) Chatman and Georgia Ellen Willis Matthews, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Clara Viola Giddens Matthews; two brothers, Robert Matthews and Dempsey Matthews; and one sister, Jimmy Ruth Campbell. He attended Tift County Schools and was employed with the Ford Tractor dealership in Tifton for 22 years and then was the owner of Four Star Tractor Company in Tifton. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tifton and American Legion Post #21 and the American Legion Auxiliary. He also served in the United States Navy.
Mr. Matthews is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Sandra Matthews of Tifton; two grandsons and their wives, Dan and Julie Matthews and Craig and Joy Matthews; five great-grandchildren, Jared Matthews, Zach Matthews, Tucker Matthews, Samantha Matthews and Grant Matthews; and one sister, Betty Bowen of Tifton.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Tifton Mission Fund, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31793.