Ernest Cameron Matthews

Ernest Cameron Matthews, loving husband, father, brother, and PawPaw, passed away on the evening of February 18, 2023, at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He had celebrated his seventy-ninth birthday on January 30.

Ernest was born in Moorhead, Mississippi in 1944 and graduated from Moorhead High School, playing football in his senior year. It was at a basketball game in neighboring Inverness that he met his beloved Brenda, and he spent many an evening walking Highway 3 between the two towns for visits. They were married at Inverness Methodist Church on June 17, 1964.

In 1965, Ernest enlisted in the Army and trained as a helicopter pilot. He served one tour in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 and returned to Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas as a Chief Warrant Officer to instruct new pilots. Following his honorable discharge, Ernest was employed by Petroleum Helicopters Inc. (PHI) for whom he flew thirty accident-free years. Roy, Ernest’s brother, also flew for PHI; Ernest cherished those occasions when he and his brother’s shifts overlapped. The two of them reminiscing about their childhood escapades in the Mississippi Delta kept the pilots’ lounge in stitches.

A self-taught musician, Ernest received his first guitar—a Sears & Roebuck—from his parents for Christmas when he was twelve. It would inspire a life-long love of music, a love he would pass along to his children. Family gatherings reverberated with the sounds of multiple guitars, singing, dancing, and much laughter.

When not in a helicopter over the Gulf of Mexico, Ernest found many ways to contribute to the growth and edification of Poplarville’s young people. He served as Cubmaster for Pack 28—and eventually Scoutmaster for Troop 28—for over ten years and was committed to ensuring that any child, regardless of their race or socio-economic status, could participate. From creating the perfect hobo stew and roasting marshmallows around a campfire to hosting epic Pinewood Derby races, Ernest inspired a generation of young men “to do their best to do their duty to God and country.”

Ernest shared his passion for all things aviation as a member and chair of the Poplarville/Pearl River County Airport board for sixteen years. In 1988, he and Brenda embarked upon a new adventure, turning the original First Baptist Church parsonage into Happy Day Child Care. Together, they educated, nourished, and cared for hundreds of children.

Retirement afforded Ernest opportunities to explore other interests. He drove a school bus, worked at the Robert Lott Men’s Home, and drove a concrete truck for HSI Concrete, making regular candy-filled appearances in Poplarville’s annual Christmas parade. His days were filled with the love and laughter of grandchildren, birdwatching, John Wayne westerns, and porch-sitting with his “baby sister” Annette. In his words, life was “fine as frog hair.”

Ernest was predeceased by his parents, Doc Roy Matthews and Laura Bell Gregory Matthews; nephew, David Byron Griffith; brother-in-law, Jimmy Griffith; sister-in-law, Jean Gibson Matthews; and brother, Roy Byron Matthews and his wife Mary.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Brenda Alyse Philley Matthews of Poplarville; sister, Francis Annette Matthews Griffith of Poplarville; sons, Cameron Glen Matthews of Raleigh, NC, Ernest Brady Matthews of Kennewick, WA, and Jason Dean Matthews of Poplarville; nephew, Gregory Gibson Matthews, wife Pam, and daughter Mollie Ann of Brandon; grandchildren, James Austin Matthews and wife Marilyn of McKinney, TX, Cameron Michael Matthews of Dayton, OH, Bradley Chase Matthews of Stringer, and Bailey Layne Matthews of Kennewick; great-grandson, Andrew Chase Matthews of Florence; and family friends, Roderick “Red” Pittman of South Chesterfield, VA, and Jenni Sikes and children MJ, Landon, and Gabby of Poplarville.

The family extends its gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Merit Health Wesley for the compassionate care provided Ernest. Special thanks to our “miracle” nurse Luke Ferguson. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Poplarville on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 2 pm where family will receive friends one hour prior service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.