Grady County GaArchives Obituaries.....Matthews, William Cooper May 9 1917
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Janet Sumner http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002510 May 29, 2004, 8:04 am

The Cairo Messenger, Friday, May 11, 1917
W. C. Matthews Dies Suddenly Wednesday

Cairo and Grady County was shocked late Wednesday afternoon, when the sad news 
was given out that Mr. William Cooper Matthews had suddenly passed away.  His 
death comes as a great surprise to his many friends throughout the county and 
all over South Georgia.

Mr. Matthews, in company with County Commissioner, Court Mize, were looking 
after some road building work in the northern part of the county when he was 
suddenly attacked with a stroke of paralysis.  He and Mr. Mize were in his car, 
about fifteen miles north of Cairo, when Mr. Matthews, who was driving, began 
to lose control of the automobile and the car began to run into the ditch.  Mr. 
Mize seeing that something was the matter with his companion, immediately shut 
off the car and stopped it.  He asked Mr. Matthews if he was sick?  Mr. 
Matthews replied that he could not see out of one eye and could not move his 
right arm, but thought that he would be alright in a few minutes, laying his 
head on the steering wheel.  Seeing the condition of Mr. Matthews, Mr. Mize put 
him in the back seat and as he could not operate the car, he waited until he 
could get assistance.  Mr. Jim Pinson came by in a few minutes, in an 
automobile, got into Mr. Matthews' car and started in the direction of town 
with them.  They had gone only a few miles when they caught up with Dr. Walker 
and Mr. K. M. Bennett, who had been out to see a patient.  Mr. Walker 
immediately administered what medical aid he could to the dying man and 
continued to town.  Mr. Matthews passed away in a few minutes after getting up 
with Dr. Walker, about three miles from town.  His death was caused from a 
blood vessel bursting, clodding the brain.

The body was carried to the family home on Arline street, where it was 
embalmed, awaiting the arrival of his children who are expected to arrive in 
the city in time for the funeral Friday afternoon.

It can be truly said of Mr. Matthews, that he was one of the county's most 
highly respected citizens and was well liked by everyone with whom he came in 
contact, and was a man who did not know what an enemy was.  He was a consistent 
member of the Baptist church for 20 odd years and was a regular attendant at 
all services.  He was also a member of the Masons, Woodmen of the World and the 
Knights of Pythias, and was a regular attendant at each meeting of the 
different orders.

Mr. Matthews had been Warden of Grady County for the past six years, and his 
endeavors was to improve the roads of our county, so as to make them the equal 
of any in the state.  He will be sadly missed by not only the citizens of the 
county, but by the county officials, the men under him, and also by the 
convicts who he had worked.

Mr. Matthews was born in Sampson County, N. C., June 23rd, 1863, being in his 
54th year.  He moved to this county a good many years ago and up until a few 
years ago, lived a few miles east of town upon his farm.

He is survived by his wife, one brother, Mr. J. C. Matthews of this city; one 
sister, Miss Frankie Matthews of Milledgeville; six children, Mrs. C. W. 
Merritt of Bartow, Fla., Mrs. H. M. Ulmer of Cairo; Mrs. Norman W. Cox of 
Louisville, Ky.; Mrs. Jack Majors of Milltown, Ga.; and Misses Lucy and Annie 
Matthews of Cairo, besides numerous relatives and friends.

The funeral service will be held Friday afternoon at three o'clock, conducted 
by his pastor, Dr. J. A. Wynne.  He will be buried with Masonic honors.  
Interment in the Cairo cemetery.

The Messenger extends condolence to the berearved family in their hour of sad 
affliction.   

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