Earnest K. Matthews, 88, passed away at Windsong Village in Pearland, TX on March 27, 2011. Earnest was born July 24, 1922 in Montana to Ed and Pearl Johnson Matthews, where his Dad was working on the railroad. Earnest's home was always in Texas. He married Martha Watson, June 5, 1943 in Whitesboro, TX. She passed away July 17, 2000 after 57 years of marriage. They were long time residents of Lubbock. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in WW II and earned bronze stars for 5 major military battles in Europe. He retired from Mrs. Baird's Bakery.

Military graveside services will be at 2:00pm Friday April 1, 2011 at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park, Woodrow, TX, with Ken Horn officiating. Burial is under the care of Wilsons' Funeral Directors of Wolfforth. Family visitation is from 5 to 7pm Thursday, at the funeral home.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son Kenneth W. Matthews and wife Geneva of Blossom, TX, daughter Beverly and husband Paul Schmaltz of Pearland, TX; 4 grandchildren, Anthony Matthews and wife Stacy, Brian Gollihugh and wife Charla, Briana Carson, Brenee' Null and husband Brad: 5 great-grandchildren, Kirstin Gollihugh and Chris Henry, Cody Matthews, Nathan Matthews, Hannah Ellis, Emmalee Ellis and one great-great grandson, Clayton, born February 25, 2011. And brothers Eugene Matthews and wife Martha, and Bobby Matthews.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars National Headquarters 406 West 34th Street Kansas City, MO 64111, www.vfw.org