Ralph Clayton Matthews

FARMINGTON Ralph Clayton Matthews of Farmington passed away Monday, January 6, 2014, at Presbyterian Manor at the age of 91 years. He was born October 8, 1922, in Madison County, son of the late John Franklin and Annie Adelia (Cook) Matthews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson Christopher Shane Matthews, brothers Mason Matthews, John G. Matthews, Stewart Matthews and Ulysses Matthews and four sisters Lillian Pope, Hester Yount, Tressie Griffon, and Minnie Shrum. Ralph grew up around Fredericktown and attended school there. He married Miss Reba Lucille Vaughn on February 12, 1944, in St. Louis. He worked most of his life in the mining industry, working as a government safety inspector, as miner for the St. Joseph Lead Company, and as a company mine inspector for FMC Corporation in Green River Wyoming 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 he and Reba. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and particularly enjoyed reading and studying the Holy Bible. He is survived by his wife Reba Lucille (Vaughn) Matthews of Farmington, son Gary Matthews of Fredericktown, daughter Susan Matthews of Denver, Colorado, grandchildren: Shanna Moore of Farmington, Tiffany (and Tim) Zehrt of Farmington, Andy (and Betsy) Matthews of Chicago, Illinois, Kristi (and Kurt) Roundy, and Kerri (and Jeremy) Sturm all of Denver, Colorado, great-grandchildren: Jake Zehert, Drew Zehert, Madison Roundy, Dawson Roundy, Taylor Bess, Jonathan Sturm, Miles Matthews, Owen Matthews, Blythe Moore and Braelynn Moore, a sister Norma Jean Zettwoch of Creve Coeur, daughter-in-law Barbara Matthews, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2014. Visitation will resume on Saturday after 7 a.m.and continue until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. in the Cozean Chapel with Pastor Roger Hogan officiating. Interment will be at Hillview Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International. Share your memories and leave condolences online at wwwcozeanfuneralhome.com. Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Friday, January 10, 2014 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Funeral Service

Cozean Memorial Chapel

Saturday, January 11, 2014 217 West Columbia Street Farmington, Missouri 63640 Directions