Wendell Jack "Matt" Matthews

Wendell Jack “Matt” Matthews, age 76 of Springville, TN, died Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

He formerly worked for New Generations in McKenzie, TN, for several years, then went to work at Henry County Recycling Center in Paris.  He later finished working at Paris Landing State Park until leaving for poor health.  Matt was a U.S. Navy veteran, a member of VFW Post 1889 in Paris, and a member of the American Legion in Springville, TN.  In his earlier years, he loved drag racing. He enjoyed fishing, watching NACSAR, and was a big Dale Earnhardt fan.

Matt was born May 7, 1946, in Lincoln, NE, to the late Jack S. Matthews and the late Leora M. Patton Matthews.

He was married to Deborah “Debbie” Matthews who preceded him in death on April 15, 2012.

He is survived by four children, Kimberly (Daniel) Perryman, Keith (Linda) Matthews, and Ben (Krista) Matthews, all of Springville, TN, and Stephanie Nixon of Chico, CA; one sister, Sheris Dojcsany of Chadron, NE; one brother, Brice (Helen) Matthews of York, SC; and eight grandchildren, Aaron Perryman, Danielle Perryman, Tyler Matthews, Travis Matthews, Leora Matthews, Wesley Matthews, Layla Matthews, Eva Nixon and Sara Ramirez; and one great grandchild, Sammy Ramirez.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by one brother, Darrell Matthews.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  The body is to be cremated with no services scheduled at this time.