Obituary - James William Matthews, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Kay McMahan Noska, a Bixler descendant 
Source: Feb. 1,1951  Mansfield Enterprise News 



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Funeral Rites For Life-Long Citizen Held Sunday 

James William Matthews, one of Desoto Parishes outstanding citizens, succumbs 
Saturday, January 27th.  James W. Matthews, 75, a pioneer in lumber, farming, 
cotton ginning, and cattle breeding circles in this area, died at the Curtis 
Clinic, Saturday afternoon, January 27th. at 2:45 o'clock.  Mr. Matthews, who 
was well known to lumbermen throughout the state, was a lige-long resident of 
Desoto Parish. He owned sawmill, land and farming interestes in our Parish. 
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock at the Beulah 
Church on the Mansfield-Lula highway, conducted by Rev. Alfred Mitchell assisted 
by Rev. Ben Joyner of the Oak Grove Community. Burial was in the church cemetery, 
under the direction of the Drewett Funeral Home. Mr. Matthews was buried within 
just a few miles of where he had spent most of his entire life. Floral offerings, 
and the attendance, at the funeral were evidences of thr high esteem, admiration,
and apprication of his long useful life in this community, by our citizens. No 
greater tribute could have been paid to any man, than the tear dimmed faces, of 
the huge gathering of colored people, who came to pay their last respect, to a man 
that had always been fair in his dealings with them and helpful in their hours of 
trouble. 

Survivors, in addition to his widow, include four sons : Curt & John Matthews of 
Grand Cane, Frank Matthews of Mansfield, and Hugh A. Matthews of Benson; two 
daughters: Mrs. Dick Heard of Logansport, and Mrs. Ike Smith of Benson. Seven 
Grandchildren, and five Great Grandchildren, one brother, P.A. Matthews of Logansport, 
two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Dillon of Shreveport, and Mrs. Joe Webb of Mansfield. Pallbearers 
were : James Morton, Coleman McDonald,Floyd Smith, Ellis Spears,Ennis Raines, and Joe T. 
Cawthorn. Honorary Pallbearers were : Dr. Curtis, Dr. Segura, Dr. Black, Dr. Moseley, the 
attending physicians, who so faithfully treated him during his long illness. END 

* Note * 
James William Matthews was the husband of Lydia Vay Bixler.