Extracted from The Natchez Democrat (Natchez, MS)
Saturday, May 31, 2003

Lona Mae Matthews
Nov. 9, 1915 -- May 3, 2003

NATCHEZ -- Services for Lona Mae Matthews, 87, of Ferriday, La., formerly of Natchez, who died Saturday, May 3, 2003, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be at 10 a.m. today at Clayton Pentecostal Church with the Revs. Melvin Rushing and Gary Howington officiating.

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mrs. Matthews was born Nov. 9, 1915, in Amite County, the daughter of Barney and Ruthie Bates McCallister. She was a homemaker and a member of Clayton Pentecostal Church.

Mrs. Matthews was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Daniel Matthews; three brothers, Johnnie, Luther and Allen McCallister; and three sisters, Jessie McCallister, Flossie White and Elma Delancy.

Survivors include one daughter, Emma Jean Byrnes of Clayton, La.; one son, John Thomas `Pete' Matthews of Ferriday; one sister, Eunice Riser of Natchez; four grandchildren, Darlene Walker, Daniel Johnese, John Johnese and Betty Johnese; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Johnese, John Johnese, William Merritt, Kenny Jackson, Danny Jackson and Steve Joy.

Honorary pallbearers will be James Ray Walker, Douglass McCallister, Barney McCallister, Johnnie McCallister, Hansel Jackson, Luther McCallister and Fred McCallister.