Melvin Arthur Matthews

New Iberia - Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM, on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at Pellerin Funeral Home Chapel in New Iberia, for Melvin Arthur Matthews, 94, who passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2009 in New Iberia. Entombment will follow in Beau Pre Cemetery in Jeanerette. Rev. Zack Young and Rev. David Denton will officiate. Born on April 21, 1914 in Conroe, Texas, Mr. Matthews is a longtime resident of New Iberia and is the owner and founder of MM Oil Tools, Inc. He had a love of horses and cattle and had raised registered Brahman Bulls as a hobby. Mr. Matthews had attended Texas AM with an interest in petroleum engineering. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Birdie Mae "Macy" Harris Matthews of New Iberia; daughters, Susan Matthews McKnight and husband John of New Iberia, Mrs. Don "Patricia" Matthews Wells of New Iberia; son, Roy Harris Matthews and wife Linda of Broussard; sister, Mae Matthews Brown of Conroe, Texas; 6 grandchildren, Angie Kay Matthews, Wendy Wells DuBose and husband James, Vicki Matthews Bellott and husband Mickey, Quay McKnight and wife Lauren, Johnson "Matt" McKnight and wife Leah, Mandy McKnight Powell and husband Jeff; great grandchildren, Cody Matthews, Jeremy LeBlanc, Victoria LeBlanc, Josh Bellott, Ben DuBose, Caleb Bellott, Bailey Bellott, Charlotte McKnight, Porter McKnight, Mason McKnight, Macy McKnight; great great granddaughter, Ginnaveve Jolie LeBlanc. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kit and Lillie Mae McNatt Matthews; brothers, Udell Matthews, Kenneth Matthews; sister, Ida Lou Matthews, son-in-law, Benjamin Don Wells. Pallbearers will be Quay McKnight, Johnson McKnight, John McKnight, James DuBose, Mickey Bellott, and Joe Guillory. Honorary Pallbearers include Terry Mosley, Cody Matthews, Sam Matson, and Shelley Dickie.. The family would like to give special Thanks to Heart of Hospice and to Mr. Matthews' caretakers, Rita Moncriffe, Shirley Butler, and Elva Ford. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 10:00 AM until time of service. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.