Joseph Matthews

Joseph Matthews, affectionately  known by many as Joe was born July 28, 1942 to the late Dave and Ethel Matthews in Sunflower, MS.  His parents both preceded him in death, as well as, his sister, Ernestine and his brother, Isaiah.  Joseph was educated in Ruleville, MS.  He was baptized at an early age.

Joe also lived with another family growing up.  He left home and moved in with Rosie Lee and John Harris and their 13 children.  He gained eight more brothers and five sisters.

A close bond grew between him and Jimmie Harris, Sr.  The  two of them dating sisters and later marrying them.

He married Johnnie Mae Wiley February 22, 1962; three children were born to this union; Loistine Wiley, Stanley Matthews and Josephine (Richard) Kelton.

Joe left Mississippi in 1962 and moved to Chicago, IL to make a better life for his family.  Joe worked for a variety of companies during his life; including Mistik Tape, Grossinger Pontiac, Pepsi  Cola, but his love was working on cars and was well known for  it.

He went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 28, 2018.  He was known for fixing cars and making people laugh and he was always smiling.

Joe leaves to cherish his memory; his loving wife of 56 years, Johnnie Mae; three children, Loistene Wiley, Stanley Matthews and Josephine (Richard) Kelton; five brothers, Jimmie Johnson, Dave(Shirley) Matthews, Rev. Eugne (Jeanette) Matthews, and Kenny Matthews; four sisters, Ethel Mae Matthews, Bloudine Matthews, Emma Jean Childs and Mariah Moore; 10 sisters-in-law, Betty Wiley, Earlean Jones, Aretha (JD) Tiggs, Linda Faye (Lonnie) Holmes, Leola (Jimmie) Harris, Sr., Cherry (Edward) Calvin-Middleton, Delores Calvin, Patricia Calvin and Ada Matthews;  19 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

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