Leo Valient Matlock

Leo Valient Matlock, 92, of Conway, Ark., passed away on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011. He was born October 17, 1918, and reared in Pine Bluff, Ark., the son of Freeman Kirkwood Matlock and Gertrude (Mitchell) Matlock. He was a 1935 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. He began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1938 and retired as Acting Assistant Postmaster in 1974. After retiring from the Post Office, he spent eight years as a real estate salesman and broker. He was a patriot who deeply loved his country. His active military service included WW II, where he served 21 months in the European Theatre under General Patton's 3rd Army, and where he received four battle stars. He also served in the Korean Conflict and during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Lt. Colonel in 1965. Mr. Matlock was an avid outdoorsman and nature lover, and he especially loved quail hunting and fishing. He was ordained as a deacon at the age of 21 and was a faithful and active member of Immanuel Baptist Church (Pine Bluff), Watson Chapel Baptist Church (Pine Bluff), and First Baptist Church (Fort Smith). He spent many years teaching young men, young married couples, and senior men in Sunday School. Although declining health prevented him from attending church in Conway, he was a member and faithful prayer warrior of Woodland Heights Baptist Church from 2007-2011. Mr. Matlock was a member of the Watson Chapel Lions' Club, where his dedication and hard work earned him a Life Member Award and the Melvin Jones Award. His personal creed was to "live a life of service," and he fulfilled this in every way. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his siblings Meador Matlock, Andrew Matlock, Oscar Matlock, and Katie (Matlock) Stone, and two sons, Stephen Matlock and Ross Matlock. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Ethelene (Sanders) Matlock of Conway; children, Russell Matlock (Dawn) of St. Louis, Tana Pointer (Harold) of Pine Bluff, Melissa Knight (George) of Houston, and Kathy Owen (Johnny) of Conway. He was proud "Gramps" to nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with one more on the way! Mr. Matlock came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in August of 1935. His family knows that he has heard his Savior say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . Enter thou into the joy of the Lord." Visitation will be at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway on Monday, Aug. 15th from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a private family committal at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the mission offering of your local church. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home-Conway 501-327-7727. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.