Derwood Matthews, Jr.

Derwood Royce Matthews Jr. passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  He was born November 23, 1946 in Conway, Arkansas as the eldest son of the late Derwood and Una Mae Stewart Matthews.   A waiting him in heaven are his parents, his sisters Janie and Brenda Matthews, brother Rickey Matthews, and his grandparents Oscar and Bernice Matthews and Lester and Ava Stewart.

Royce graduated from Pulaski Oak Grove in 1966.  Following graduation, he joined the Arkansas Army National Guard and served for 34 years.  While serving in the Guard, he enjoyed helping others during responses to natural disasters. Royce worked for 28 years at Camp Robinson until retirement in 1997.  He spent years running nets and trotlines on the Arkansas River.  Through the years, he worked with hundreds of dogs to hunt rabbit, deer, coon, or squirrels.  He loved hunting, especially squirrel, with his little buddy, Spike.  Royce was a member of Pine Island Hunting Club in Bradley County for more than 40 years.  Royce enjoyed cooking, especially for others.

He took thousands of pictures, but never of himself.  He wanted to have a way to capture the most important moments he had with his loved ones so that they could be forever cherished. Royce defined “social distancing” before it was a thing. He had a gentle and quite spirit, when he spoke you should listen. He was a servant by heart, always behind the scenes helping others and putting them above himself. Royce could raise a great garden and enjoyed sharing the rewards of his work with others. He also displayed his love for his family, in his own quiet way! If you looked hard enough, you would see him quietly watching from a distance as he supported them in their endeavors. His loved ones cherish the moments that he would break his silence to laugh his amazing, quiet laugh that revealed just how much the moments meant to him.

Those left to cherish his memory and await a heavenly reunion include his wife of 50 years, Bettianne Henderson Matthews of North Little Rock; his sons Bradley and Carol Matthews of Benton and Travis and Kristy Matthews of North Little Rock; grandchildren Hannah, Caleb, Abby, Lydia, and Adah; siblings Linda (Charles) Speer of Little Rock and Doyan (Tricia) Matthews of North Little Rock; sister-in-law Dorothy (D.D.) Matthews; three nieces:  Michelle (Ronnie) Barnum of Damascus, Emily (Anthony) Johnson of Little Rock, and Sarah (Jeff) Ford of Maumelle; and three nephews: Matt (Susan) Speer of Florida, Brandon Speer, and Clint (Heidi) Speer both of Little Rock.  Many aunts, cousins, great nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends were also treasured parts of Royce’s life.

Visitation will be at Graves Memorial Baptist Church where he was a member for more than 50 years on Friday, April 17, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Because of COVID-19, a private graveside service will be held at Cadron Valley Cemetery in Greenbrier.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Graves Memorial Baptist Church, 4617 Oak Grove Road, NLR 72118.