In short, Wayne was a good man. A good, good man. A truly gentle soul. He lived a simple life dedicated to caring for the people he loved. He was a good son, brother, husband but most of all, a good father and the best PaPaw a child could ever want.
Wayne was born on March 11, 1936, in Jemison, Al to Jesse Lee and Frances Elizabeth Matthews, the 3rd of 10 siblings. He served his country in the Navy from 1953 until 1957 on the aircraft carrier, USS Kearsarge, and continued his service in the Naval Reserves until 1961.
He met and married the love of his life, Scharlotte Ann Hill in 1958 after he walked into her place of employment and offered to walk her home. A few years later, they were blessed with a son, Donny, and a beautiful daughter, Chanda.
Wayne retired from Scott Paper Company after 30 years of service. He had a love of nature. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. Wayne loved his children with his whole heart, but his three grandchildren were his greatest joy.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Lee and Francis Elizabeth Matthews, his brothers and sisters, Betty Jean Huggins, Bobby Lee Matthews, Raymond Thomas Matthews, Harold Eugene Matthews (Tim), Margaret Ann Robinson, Helen Gail Dixon, Linda Kay Matthews (Cissy), Roger Dale Matthews (Pap).
He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife, Scharlotte Ann Hill Matthews, son Donald Wayne Matthews, Jr., daughter Chanda Yvette Blanchard (Joey), grandchildren Matthew Joseph Blanchard (Ann), Mallory Sloan Smith (Thomas), and Madison Jess Blanchard (Ty), sisters Mary Sue Norton, Janice Elizabeth Maddox and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Graveside Service for Donald will be held Saturday, October 24, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Pine Crest Cemetery West, 1599 Snow Road South, Mobile, Alabama 36695 followed by interment.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Donald's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, www.stjude.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for the Matthews family.
