Stephen Franklin "Steve" Matthews, Sr., 79, of Eldorado passed away Monday, July 8, 2024, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2024, at Union Grove Church of God in Eldorado with the Rev. Joseph L. Crumley officiating. Mr. Matthews will be laid to rest at Union Grove Church of God Cemetery in Eldorado. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mr. Matthews will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Dylan Gray, Lane Wheeler, Sam Douglas, Ben Douglas, Robert Fitzgerald and Johnny Walker will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Myron Wheeler and Hank Mullis.
Born July 20, 1944, in Tifton, Mr. Matthews was the son of the late Effie Mae Griner Stone and Emmett Hora Matthews. He was also preceded in death by one great-grandson, Daxton Gray. Before retiring, he was self-employed; and he was a member of Union Grove Church of God in Eldorado. He loved his family and his grandchildren. He was an avid barrel racer and barrel-raced for 30+ years; and he taught his children to ride when they were very young.
Mr. Matthews is survived by his wife of 62+ years, Donna Fordham Matthews of Eldorado; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Ronda and Myron Wheeler and Genia Gray and her fiance, Ryan Evans, all of Enigma and Stephanie and Scott Burgess of Tifton; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Stephen Jr. and Meg Matthews and Derrick Johnson, all of Tifton; one brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Pat Fitzgerald of Statenville; one sister, Dawn Matthews of Florida; twelve grandchildren, Marlee Matthews, Sam Douglas, Ben Douglas, Tori Wheeler, Lane Wheeler, Heather Buhler, Dylan Gray, Haley Burgess, Emma Burgess, Ryan Johnson, Jordan Johnson and Mikela Singletary; and fourteen great-grandchildren, Axel Wheeler, Arlo Wheeler, Paisley Edenfield, Easton Buhler, Rollins Buhler, Dawson Gray, Paige Gray, Samuel Douglas Jr., Stella James Scarberry, Macyn Johnson, Baylee Johnson, Adalyn Giddens, Landon Johnson and Slater Johnson.