Stephen A. Matthews

Stephen Arch Matthews, 91 of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, after losing consciousness at the Defense table in a courtroom in Pine Bluff. He was born January 4, 1926 in Chastain Community in Baxter County, Arkansas, to Willie Garner Matthews and Joe E. Matthews. Steve graduated, Valedictorian, from Calico Rock High School in 1943. He served in the United States Navy from 1943-46, and was commissioned an Ensign in 1945. He earned his B.A. and L.L.B. (with high honors) from the University of Arkansas in 1948 and 1951 respectively, was admitted to the Arkansas Bar and to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States in 1951. Mr. Matthews was in general civil practice with the firm of Bridges,Young, Matthews, and Drake in Pine Bluff from 1951 throughout his legal career. He received the Outstanding Lawyer Award from the Arkansas Bar Association in 1967-68, was chairman of the Arkansas Bar Foundation in 1971-72, was named a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation, was a Member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and President of the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel in 1984-85. Steve served on the Pine Bluff School Board from 1972-81. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and a Ruling Elder many times over, and was a Board Member of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary for 18 years. He was named Trustee Emeritus by the same institution. He served intermittently on the Trinity Village Retirement Center board since its inception in the 1970's, and was President from 1991-1995. Steve was an ardent sports fan, having received his BA in sports journalism; especially of the Arkansas Razorbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals. He grew exquisite roses, had a dry and wicked wit, possessed a God-given gift of storytelling, and was genuinely one of the kindest souls to everyone he encountered. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ruth (Betty) Alexander, whom he married November 3, 1950 in Mena, Arkansas; son, David Matthews, daughter, Susan Matthews Arnold and her husband, John, of Texarkana, Texas, and Swiss daughter Barbara Ill-Schenkel and Hans Jorg of Trogen, Switzerland; grandchildren, Ruth and Matthew Arnold; his siblings, Billy Joe Matthews of Wenatchee, Wash., Betty Jane Perryman of Pine Bluff, Mauzel Beal of Conway, and Rev. Dr. Ed Matthews and Pat of Little Rock; and a plethora of family spanning the Matthews and Alexanders. Visitation will be Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 4-6 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends Monday, March 6, 2017 from 10-11 a.m. in McColgan Hall at First Presbyterian Church. A Memorial Service at 11 a.m. will follow in the Sanctuary with Reverend Jeff Price and Reverend Dr. Ed Matthews officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Village Retirement Center, 6400 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603; First Presbyterian Church, 717 West 32nd, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603; or the charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit RalphRobinsonandSon.com.