Matthews, Jerry Vestal

Jan. 25, 1939 - Feb. 13, 2007 Jerry Vestal Matthews went 
home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 
after a courageous battle with illness. Jerry was born 
January 25, 1939, in Odessa, to Elbert Fuller Matthews 
and Muralene Vestal Matthews. He married his high school 
sweetheart, Darlene Melton, on November 16, 1963. He 
graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1972. 
He attended Perkins Theological Seminary at SMU. He was a 
lifetime member of the Overton Ex Students Association. 
Jerry Matthews was called into the ministry September 16, 
1969, at the First Baptist Church in, Longview. He served 
as the pastor of McCary's Chapel Methodist Church in 
Liberty City, the First Methodist Church in Cushing and 
Lilbert, as well as associate pastor at First Methodist 
Church and pastor of Christ Church in Longview. In 1979, 
he founded, along with his wife, Darlene, the original 
Church on the Rock, a non-denominational ministry. From 
1991-2000, he worked for Gregg County as the court 
coordinator of the 307th District Court, juvenile 
probation officer, and domestic relations officer until 
taking early retirement due to illness. During his 
ministry, he married and buried countless people and 
visited hundreds who were ill, always with his warm humor 
and caring manner. Although he had many jobs, he was first 
and foremost a preacher of the gospel. Jerry reached out 
to everyone who crossed his path. A loving husband, devoted 
father and grandfather, and special friend to us all, Jerry 
was beloved by all who knew him. He was preceded in death 
by his father, E.F. Matthews. He is survived by his wife, 
Darlene Matthews of Longview; daughter, Monique Matthews of 
Austin; son Dominic Matthews of Longview; grandson, Logan 
Matthews of Longview; his mother, Muralene Webb of Marshall; 
his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Paula Matthews of 
Marble Falls, his half-sister and her husband Joy and Gareth 
Pollard of Odessa; his mother-in-law, Peggy Melton of Overton; 
his sister-in-law and her husband, Brenda and Blu Hubbard of 
Hitchcock; as well as many nieces and nephews. The family of 
Jerry Matthews wishes to thank the staff at Whispering Pines 
for their compassionate care and loving concern during this 
difficult time. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. 
Friday, February 16, 2007, at Rader Funeral Home. Interment 
will be in Rosewood Cemetery of Longview. Pallbearers will be 
Donn Bindler, Bob Carmack Blufford Hubbard, Jason King, Charles 
Matthews, Steve Morrow, Ronnie Weaver and Wailen York. In lieu 
of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made 
to Darlene Matthews Ministries, PO. Box 9880, Longview, TX 75608. 
Family visitation is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. this evening, at 
the residence. A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 2/15/2007.