Edwin Eugene Matthews, Sr.

Edwin Eugene (Gene) Matthews, 81, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2014 at his daughter’s home in Arlington, Tennessee. Gene was born on August 12, 1932 to Buell and Golden Matthews in Bollinger County, Missouri. He left high school early to join the Army in 1948 during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge from the Army in 1951, Gene graduated from Fredericktown High School in Marquand, Missouri in 1953.

Gene served in the Army during the Korean War as a medical assistance. He met his beautiful bride, Mary Jeannine Hastie, on the beach in Panama City, Florida in August 1955 and they were married on October 8, 1955 for 58 wonderful years.

In 1988, Gene retired from the University of Alabama in Birmingham after 23 years of service. Gene enjoyed many years of motor home travel with his wife Jeannine. He enjoyed being with friends and traveling, always finding interesting places to eat along the way.

Gene is survived by his wife, Jeannine; son, Randy Dillard; daughter, Melissa Baker; son, Gene Matthews; cousin, Carol Matull; grandchildren, Olivia Matthews, Ryan Matthews, Kathy Dillard Carlisle, Chuck Dillard, Kara Hollis Heuer, Jimmy Hollis, Blake Dillard, Joe Dillard, Zuzu Dillard and Lucy Dillard; great grandchildren, Damon Hollis, Katelyn Hollis, Dustin Heuer, Alexis Dillard, Tyler Dillard, Zac Carlisle, Cole Carlisle, Bay Carlisle, Reid Hollis. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and daughter, Jeannine Smith.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea, Alabama with Dr. Tim Cox officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Baptist Church.