Dr. James Claude Matthews, Jr.

Funeral services for Dr. James Claude Matthews, Jr. will begin at 2:00p.m. at First Baptist Church Meridian, MS on December 14, 2019 with Reverend Ronald Cannon Beckham officiating. A private family graveside service will follow. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Dr. James Claude Matthews, Jr., 76, of Meridian passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on December 12, 2019.

Dr. Matthews was born on February 5, 1943, to the late James Claude Matthews, Sr. and Dorothy Smith Matthews in Waynesboro, MS. He married Peggy Lou Beckham of Mobile, AL in June of 1964. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from The Medical College of Alabama at The University of Alabama. He and Peggy moved to Meridian, MS in 1972. He was employed at Rush Hospital as a board certified general surgeon and devoted his practice to Family Practice, Hyperbaric Medicine, and General Surgery from 1972-2018. He loved the Lord, his family, and singing. He sang often at various churches, nursing homes, and festivals. He traveled on mission trips serving the Lord while providing medical care for others. James and Peggy raised 6 children to know the Lord.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Peggy Matthews; his brother Art Matthews and his wife Debbie May Matthews, his brother-in-law Harold Rose of Tuscumbia, AL; his children, Jimmy Matthews, and his wife Tammy of Meridian, MS, Charles Matthews and his wife Stacey of Kuna, Idaho, Elizabeth Matthews Morgan and her husband Jeff of Nashville, TN, Debbie Matthews Tenpenny and her husband Keith of Nashville, TN, David Matthews and his wife Katy of Meridian, MS, and Julie Matthews Hoeniges and her husband Andrew of Brandon, MS; 28 grandchildren and one on the way in March.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Martha Lee Matthews Rose.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Gideons International (www.gideons.org) - P.O. Box 5044, Meridian, MS 39301, Hopegivers International ( www.hopegivers.org ) – P.O. Box 8808, Columbus, GA 31908, or First Baptist Church Choir of Meridian, MS ( www.fbcmeridian.org ) – 701 26 ^th Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

The family will receive friends from 12-1:45 p.m., December 14, 2019, at First Baptist Church Meridian, MS.