James A. “Jiggs” Matthews, Sr., 83
February 4, 1942 – December 3, 2025
Plantersville – James Albert Matthews, Sr. departed this life at 2:15 AM on December 3, 2025 at NMMC in Tupelo after a brief illness. Born in Myrtle, Ms., on Feb. 4, 1942, into a family of sharecroppers, he was the eldest son of 5 children of the late Joe and Allie Matthews. Always adventurous and grounded, James grew up in Plantersville and graduated from Shannon High School in 1960. Never afraid of work, he farmed in his early days. As time moved along, James developed an appreciation of entrepreneurship. He founded and owned Superior Products, a large mattress manufacturer for over 40 years. His company employed an average of 250 local folks providing good jobs for many families in Lee County. He was loyal to his employees and received respect and appreciation from them. James made friends easily, loved conversation with everyone and had friends everywhere. He was well known in furniture manufacturing circles around the country. He developed a great appreciation for the land at an early age working in the fields and became a real estate holder of hundreds of acres of land over the years. James loved watching cotton grow until harvest and was an excellent steward of God’s creation. A simple man with many passions, James enjoyed drag racing owning race cars over the years, squirrel hunting, collecting antique cars, reading Louis L’Amour books, watching old westerns on TV, as well as Wheel of Fortune. He and Debby were attendees of Palestine Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Brenda in 1993. He married Debby Tharp Harmon and they enjoyed over 4 decades together.
A Service celebrating his life will be held at 3 PM Sunday, December 7, 2025 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with his former pastor, Bro. Mike Brazeal officiating. Burial will follow in Plantersville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 PM-4 PM Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 and from 1 PM-service time on Sunday all at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving their neighbors and friends. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 3 PM on Sunday and will be archived thereafter.
He is survived by his wife, Debby; children, Nikki and Billy Cox of Plantersville, James Matthews Jr (Punkin) and Angela of Plantersville, Sheryl Matthews of Tupelo, Sheila Barber and Mike of Plantersville, and Stephanie Holloway of Plantersville; grandchildren, Autumn Cox, Alexis Holloway, Matthew Barber, Mandi Howell (Jason), Jon Paul Barber (Crystal), Jacob Matthews (Taylor), Allie Abell (Trenton), Tripp Matthews (Ashlee) and Erin Matthews; great grandchildren, Molly Matthews, Milly Matthews, Harrison Matthews, Brenlee Howell, Wyatt Howell, Weston Barber, and James Matthews IV; and brother, Garey Matthews . He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Allie Matthews; sister, Evie Lou Williamson; brothers, Bobby Joe Matthews and Larry Matthews
Memorials may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or National Marrow Donor Program, 500 North 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Condolences may be posted to James Memorial Page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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