James Michael “Mike” Matthews

James Michael “Mike” Matthews was born on December 20, 1950 in Minden, LA to J.T. and Virginia Matthews of Heflin, LA.  He went to be our Lord on January 23, 2026 after a brief illness.
Mike graduated from Dubberly High School in Dubberly, LA and was employed with a few companies over the years, mainly driving eighteen-wheelers through the years.  He worked a few years at Clement Industries in Minden, LA, where he met his bride to be in the early 70’s.  He went on to haul silica sand for Dresser Industries (later purchased by U.S. Silica) where he worked his way up to supervisor.  He left there in 1991 and moved his family to Kilgore, TX to haul crude oil for Koch (later EOTT and recently Plains All American).  He retired in 2018 after having worked as senior dispatcher for several years.  
Mike enjoyed singing and playing acoustical guitar.  He was in a couple of gospel groups in the 1980’s in Louisiana and also served as Music Minister at Fellowship Baptist Church of Dubberly, LA, First Baptist Church of Sibley, LA and Eastview Baptist Church of Kilgore, TX.  He believed that God gave him a voice to rejoice in the Lord and infuse people with the Holy Spirit.  He was a loving husband, father, friend, and loved to joke and laugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.T. and Virginia (Walker) Matthews of Dubberly, LA and his wife of forty-seven years, Sarah Simmons Matthews.  He is survived by his son, David Matthews (and wife Dana) of Sibley, LA; daughter, Cynthia Matthews Porter of Kilgore, TX; grandchildren Kylie McKissack and Kaitlin Jones of Louisiana, Rubye and CJ Porter of Kilgore, TX; great-grandchildren Justin Garrett and Macey Garrett Eskew and Jaycee and Skyler Freeman and one great-great-granddaughter, all of Louisiana.
There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony for him and his wife on February 21, 2026 at 10 am at Eastview Baptist Church in Kilgore, TX.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gideon’s International Bible Program or your favorite charity.