Joseph Purnell Matthews

Joseph Purnell Matthews died Sunday, June 22 in Roland, Arkansas. Joe was the third child born November 7, 1962, the third child of Jim and Alix Catlett Matthews. With his older brother, James, and cousins who lived nearby, Mike, Pat and Bill, the Matthews boys were a formidable pack of five and the bane of their babysitters for several years. Joe was the smallest and the toughest according to his cousin, Pat Matthews. A graduate of Catholic High, Joe worked for several businesses owned by the Catlett Corporation, including Motel Sleepers and PHP Corporation. He had a great appreciation for Native American culture, found wisdom in their practices and cherished his collection of Indian artifacts. His greatest love - apart from his daughter, Josie - was hiking combined with photography. He enjoyed nothing more than going into remote areas, taking pictures of the incredible scenery and sharing the prints with friends and family. He especially loved hiking and photographing the areas around Sylamore Creek, the Buffalo River and anywhere in the Ozarks. Joe enjoyed all types of music from the Beatles to "Classic" Country and never really understood why anyone would prefer driving a car to a truck. He did love every truck he ever owned! He is survived by his daughter, Josephine Ann Matthews "Josie" of Durango, Colo., his parents, Jim and Alix Matthews, of Roland, Ark., sisters Catherine Matthews of Mountain View, Ark., Dr. Helen Matthews of Oakland, Calif., and brother, James A. Matthews (Jill) of Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Helen and Robert Catlett and Martha and John Matthews. There will be a visitation at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening at North Little Rock Funeral Home, followed by a rosary at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew with Msgr. John O'Donnell presiding. There will be a committal service at 4:30 p.m. in Brearely Cemetery, Dardanelle, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Gain, Inc. 712 West 3rd St., Little Rock, Ark. 72201, or Sequoyah National Research Center, 500 University Plaza, UALR, Little Rock, Ark. 72204-1090, or any charity promoting the conservation of Arkansas' natural beauty in the areas of Sylamore Creek, the Buffalo River and the Ozarks. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.