Benjamin McDonald Matthews III

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  • Benjamin McDonald Matthews III
    Benjamin McDonald Matthews III
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Benjamin McDonald Matthews III, 64, of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly after heart complications on Feb. 28, 2021.

Ben was born in Memphis, TN, on Sept. 24, 1956, to Mary Lunsford Hayne Darby and Benjamin McDonald Matthews Jr.

Ben moved throughout the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta with his family during his formative years and graduated from the Tunica Institute of Learning in 1975. He went on to become a proud graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics. Ben made some of his best friends during these years and told many funny stories about their escapades. He loved to retell countless adventures that may or may not have been exaggerated over the years.

Ben met the love of his life, Colette, when he moved in across the street from her in Texas. They married in 1986, and lived in Perryton for the next 30 years with their children. Ben worked for over 35 years in ag chemical and seed sales.

In 2016,Ben and Colette moved to Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas, to enjoy retirement, and boy did they. In four short years, they swam and boated in Greers Ferry Lake more than anyone could conceivably count, watched many soccer matches, journeyed throughout the Delta, and went on a number of other adventures including cruises, concerts, planes, trains, and automobiles. Ben was finally close to his hunting camp that he loved dearly and spent every possible weekend there hunting and visiting with dear friends.

Ben was the best husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. He had a natural ability to make friends no matter the situation, and he had so many people that cared for him. He told the best jokes, even when terribly inappropriate, and had a love of buying t-shirts that he never wore.He never missed a moment to laugh with his friends and family or to remind those around him how much he appreciated them. Ben had a zest for life and loved his family fiercely. He was a great “Cappy” to his grandkids and the Captain of the boat to so many over the years. Ben was truly great and will be missed by so many that loved him.

Ben leaves behind his children that he was extremely proud of, Baron (Kacey) Matthews of Madison, MS, Benny Long of Jackson, MS, and Suzette Matthews (Matty Bengloff) of Cleveland, MS, and his wife of 35 years, Colette. He will be missed by his three grandchildren whom he adored, Charlotte Colette “CC”, Benjamin Marshall “Marsh”, and Charles Baron “Charlie”. He is survived by his two younger brothers, John (Andrea) and Hayne Matthews; sister-in-law, Michelle Matthews; god-daughters Mary Darby Jackson (Clark); and Grace Matthews; and many beloved cousins and friends.

Ben was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Darby; father, Ben; mother-in-law, Lillian; and father-in-law, Ralph.

A celebration of life will be held via Zoom on Sunday, March 7, at 4 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/83235285095. If you have questions please email Suzette at suzette.matthews @gmail.com). We would love for you to tell a story or special memory during the celebration and at the end of the Zoom we will share a toast to our Ben.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Delta Cotton Belles, an organization that helped Suzette and many other women through breast cancer treatment, P.O. Box 1292, Greenville, MS 38702, or Venmo @Suzette-Matthews for the Matthews Disney Family Vacation Fund (LOL).

Also, please consider donating blood in memory of Ben. Throughout his time in the hospital, he received many blood transfusions that would not have been possible without donations.