Faye Matthews

Faye earned her wings on September 9, 2024. She was born May 26, 1938 in Philadelphia located in Neshoba County, Mississippi to Vernon Zeola Cannon and Jessie Foster Dennis Cannon.

Faye accomplished a full range of talents during her lifetime, we can’t begin to list them all. A few of her greatest were seamstress (she could sew anything); carhop (how she met the love of her life, Freddie); and cook (she canned food from her garden her whole life, shared her wisdom, and fed many). She was active in her church and loved her neighbors dearly. However, her most outstanding talent was being a Caregiver.

She was a devoted daughter to her parents, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, aunt and friend. By the way, her first great great-grandbaby by her great grandson Jaden Holcombe and his wife Paige is due October 29, 2024.

There is only one word that truly describes Gma, STRONG. Look up the definition of strong and you will find it means: “Ability to move heavy objects, or to perform other physically demanding tasks; Ability to withstand great forces or pressure.” Most of you have seen her strength from time to time, you couldn’t miss it. You never heard Gma say “I can’t, or I won’t,” she would not turn away from daily challenges good or bad. It was just another day in life for her.

Gma’s strength comes from her faith in GOD. She firmly believed that GOD would not falter. One Bible verse Gma understood well was: Matthew 17:20 KJV: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Her faith was larger than the mustard seed Jesus mentioned, and she did move mountain after mountain.

Gma’s best loved Bible verse however was: John 3:16 KJV: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Faye is preceded in death by her parents, husband of 56 years, Freddie Matthews and her siblings: Burdell Cannon, Zeola Townsend, Laverne Alford, Charles Cannon, Frances Clepper and Carl Cannon. Faye was the last living sibling of that generation.

Faye is survived by her children: Wanda Matthews (David Brennan), Cindy Polhemus (Matt); grandchildren: Jessica Holcombe (Will), Chris Kiser (Cathy); great grandchildren: Jaden Holcombe (Paige), Corran Holcombe, Aubrey Kiser, Jameson Kiser; along with many nieces and nephews, and her cat, Scardie.

Special Thanks to the following dear friends and neighbors: David Wyatt, Who has watched over our family; Susan White, Always checked in on Gma; Robert Desmon, Provided Gma nuts for cooking, never a nut went unwanted; and Leslie Wertz, who called Gma daily for the past 20+ years. Gma’s caregivers: Heather Reyna, Beth Thompson, Tracy Travis, Angela Travis. These ladies have been our backbone taking care of Gma over the past year. Each were God sent and our hearts will always be connected.