James Herbert Matthews, age 82, of Sparkman, passed from this life on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Courtyard Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. He was born August 24, 1933 in Sparkman, the son of James Coulter and Elise Smith Matthews. James was the retired owner and operator of the family trucking business. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and raising horses. James was a member of Sparkman First Baptist Church . He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou Delamar Matthews, and one brother, Sid Matthews.

James is survived by one daughter, Patsy Ruth Matthews of Arkadelphia, one son, James Gale (Frog) Matthews (Jan) of Sparkman, two grandchildren, JoAnn Vann (Jeremy) of Sparkman, and Jodie Daniell (Mike) of Arkadelphia, four great grandchildren, Colby, Brady and Tyler Daniell all of Arkadelphia, and Wesley Vann of Sparkman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Sparkman with Rev. James Guthrie officiating.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

Interment will be in Sparkman Cemetery .

Pallbearers will be nephews and great nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are Maurice and Landon Bettis, Russ and Kyle Mann.

Memorials may be made to Sparkman Cemetery Fund or Delamar Cemetery Fund.

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the online guest book and view the video tribute.