Mr. Rufus Joseph Matthews

Our father, Rufus Joseph Matthews, peacefully departed this life in our family home on Monday morning, November 28, 2022. As firstborn of five children to the sacred union of Julia Ventress Matthews and August Matthews, Rufus was a kind, generous spirit who began this life 90 years ago on November 11, 1932 in Port Barre, LA. An industrious, hardworking man, Bruh Matthews (as many called him) accomplished many things such as completing professional training to open his own business (Matthews Barbershop), being a father figure to many, retiring from industry after 30+ years at Standard Fittings, and living simply an exemplary life; however, one of his proudest milestones was building a house for his future bride, our mother. From the age of 16, he nurtured a strong work ethic that allowed him to earn and save money for a home he moved her into on their wedding day in 1956. From time to time, he would proudly exclaim, “I had a home for my wife when I married her!” This commitment to hard work and respect for the father’s provision are legacies that have allowed his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild to prosper. Our dad was educated in St. Landry public schools by great educators like Mrs. Sydalese B. Jackson, and later completed professional training at Tyler Barber College in Tyler, TX. He was a lifelong Catholic whose spiritual growth was championed by his Baptist grandparents. At the dissolution of his parents’ marriage, our great-grandparents Isaac Ventress and Rose Tyler Ventress helped our grandmother raise our father and his siblings. Daddy often spoke of his honorable grandparents who respected their son-in-law's wish that the children would be raised Catholic. As an adult, he was a pillar of the church; years ago, for example, he helped build St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Barre before rearing his own children in the Catholic tradition at Holy Ghost Church and School (later Opelousas Catholic). Over a span of 65 years at Holy Ghost, our father was a Fourth Degree Knight of Saint Peter Claver Father John Council #8, Eucharistic minister, youth moderator, parish council member, a bass with the Marion Choir for 7 a.m. mass, and a member of BUST, Black Unity and Spiritual Togetherness founded by the late Fr. Albert J. McKnight. In service to his community, our father was an active member of the Society Helpers Social Club that founded the Miss Black Opelousas Pageant. Dad lived an active, vital faith that left an indelible impression on our lives. Reflection tells us that this faith was one of the greatest gifts he ever gave his children. Rufus leaves in God’s mighty care those who loved him most in this life; 5 children: Sheila M. Miles of Opelousas, LA; Sherbie J. Mathews (Vicki) of Midlothian, TX and Cane River, LA; Shirlene Singleton (Steven) of Rowlett, TX; Rufus F. “Gerald” Matthews of Huntsville, TX; Matt A. Matthews of Spring, TX; Deborah R. Frank (Opelousas), whom his sister allowed him to rear; three sisters of Beaumont, TX: Genevieve “Aunt Geneva” Matthews who lovingly called her big brother every day, Faye Banks, and Wanda Mickens; a close sister-in-law, Catherine Roberts Lemelle; three brothers: Wayne Matthews of Beaumont, TX; Ivory Ventress (Marie) of Opelousas, LA; and Peter Lewis of Beaumont, TX; 8 grandchildren: Aliya, Valeya, Allison, Aaron, Shari, Gerard, Sheridan, and Steven; 1 great-grandchild Yasmin Ait Dra; attentive, caring nephews and niece Jevon Hawkins (Elaine), Godson Kenneth Lee, and Paula M. Roberts whose phone calls and weekly visits brightened her Uncle Rufus’ life; Goddaughters Trina Roberts Defro, Natasha Hawkins Young, Brandi Frank, Erica Chatman, and Krystal Thomas of Opelousas; Godsons the late Joseph Roberts, Jr. and Kenneth James Lee; a kind, caring neighbor/friend in Ms. Dorothy Beverly whose daily calls about what he had cooked made his day; Herman Rossette, a good man of Meals on Wheels; steady, untiring nursing care provided by Grace Home Health and Traditions Health Hospice Care; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Our father was preceded in death by his wife, Elnora Roberts Matthews, whom he loved without ceasing for more than fifty years; parents, August Matthews and Julia Ventress Matthews Lewis; brothers, Roy Matthews, Sr. and Neyland Matthews; sisters Norma Jane Stevens and Maudry Matthews, an infant sister he lovingly cared for until her passing. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, LA. Wake visiting hours will be observed from 6 - 8 P.M. on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Williams Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 P.M.

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Mr. Rufus Joseph Matthews

November 11, 1932 - November 28, 2022