Flossie Rucker Matthews

Flossie Rucker Matthews, 98, of Tulip, Ark., in Dallas County died Dec. 16, 2016. She was born in Sparkman, Ark., on Jan. 28, 1918, to Clara Roberts Rucker and Will Rucker and graduated from Sparkman High School in 1937. In 1944 she married Herbert Chester (Chess or "Dutch") Matthews of Tulip and the two lived at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine Bluff, and finally Tulip until his death in 1986. Flossie continued to live at Tulip until August 2011 and later in Little Rock. Flossie worked two years on the detonator line at a munitions plant in Jacksonville during WWII, took in ironing as a homemaker for many years until she developed "tennis elbow" as a result of the 6.5 pound iron she used, was a clerk at F. W. Woolworth in Pine Bluff for 15 years, and at age 70 got her first drivers license. She was a member of Tulip Methodist Church, Tulip Home Extension Club, and an ardent supporter of the community and its history. Flossie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers (Floyd and Junious) and three sisters (Lucy, Ethel, and Ola). Survivors include her only son, Herbert Michael and wife, Becky; two grandsons, Stewart (Kristy) of Little Rock, and Scott of Denver, Colo.; and great-grandchildren Steele and Riley of Little Rock. The family wishes to express the greatest gratitude to the staff and caregivers of Brookdale Chenal Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care facilities in Little Rock for their years of service to Flossie. Thanks are also extended for the care given to her by personnel of Gentiva Hospice. Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to Tulip Cemetery Association, c/o Nan Groomes, P.O. Box 184, Leola, Ark. 72084. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Tulip Cemetery with Rev. Travis Langley officiating. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.