Howard T. Matthews

The life of Mr. Howard Travis Matthews, Sr. will be celebrated on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 11:30a.m.with a Catholic funeral service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maurice, Louisiana. Howard was born on Wednesday, December 24, 1952, and died during the early morning hours on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
For 42 years, Howard was the beloved husband of the late Brenda Willis Matthews, both life-long residents of Abbeville, Louisiana. He was the father of four: Colonel Howard T. Matthews, Jr. (Jeneria) stationed in Germany; Raven Nicole Matthews-Miller (Hilton) of Abbeville, Louisiana; Altamić Matthews (Reginald) of Biloxi, Mississippi; and Kelvin Matthews of Abbeville, Louisiana. He was the grandfather of fourteen:  Howard’s – Jade (Mallik), Haley, D’Juan, Daleah, and Zoë Matthews; Raven’s – Simone, Isaiah, and Keena Pillette; Altamić’s – Jeremiah and Josiah Matthews; and Kelvin’s – Kylan, Savannah, Kellee, and Emory Matthews.
He also leaves to treasure his memory: three brothers – Ernest Matthews, Jr. (Orelia), Andrew Matthews (Barbara), and Menson Matthews all of Abbeville, Louisiana; five sisters-in-law Mary Lee Thompson of Abbeville, Louisiana; Rose Nunez of Houston, Texas; Alberta Rice (Hayward Sr.) of Houston, Texas; Pamela Anderson of Houston, Texas; and Eva Bessard of Abbeville, Louisiana; and brother-in-law Floyd Rice Jr. of Houston, Texas. He will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Brenda Willis Matthews; his mother Hilda Lewis and her husband Percy Lewis; his father Ernest Matthews, Sr; his mother-in-law Rosa Belle Willis; and his father-in-law Floyd Rice Sr. Also preceding him in death were his sister, Sophie Matthews Lopez; three brothers-in-law: Hubert Bessard, Sr., Robert Nunez, Sr., and Albert Thompson.
Howard was a practical Catholic and active member of the Knights of Peter Claver, St. Maurice Council #70 and St.Joseph Catholic Church where he served on committees and the Parish Council.  He was also a Vietnam era veteran who served as a communications specialist in the U.S. Army and the Louisiana Army National Guard, which he became a non-commissioned officer attaining the rank of Sergeant. Technically savvy, Howard parlayed his skills and talents into a life-long profession as an outboard and small engine Master Mechanic. An avid outdoorsman, he wouldn't pass up an opportunity to go fishing or small-game hunting. Quick-witted with a passion for life, Howard could talk with crowds and keep his virtue, or walk with Kings--nor lose the common touch--he was a Man's Man.
Visitation will be held from 8:00 AM until 10:30 AM at Kinchen Funeral Home in Abbeville, Louisiana. A rosary will be held immediately preceding the Catholic funeral mass at 11:30AM. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. There will be a private Interment held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kinchen Funeral Home, Inc. – 218 North St. Valerie, Abbeville, LA. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed on its website: www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.