Photo courtesy of Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center
The Twin Lakes Area is mourning the loss of a former pillar of the local community. Former First United Methodist Church senior pastor and former Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation interim executive director Ed Matthews died Saturday as a resident of Little Rock at the age of 87.
Matthews served as the executive director of the hospital foundation near the spring of 2000. Barney Larry has held the position since that time, and he says Matthews left his mark on the hospital in the short time he was there.
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In addition to his time at the hospital foundation and the church, Matthews was passionate about Calico Rock. According to a social media post from the Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center, the man who grew up in Old Joe joined a committee to research the history of the historic buildings on Main Street and applied for their designation on the National Register of Historic Places. He was part of 20/20, CORE, the chamber and the group that tried to rebuild the old depot and negotiated with the railroad to keep the passenger train running through town.
Matthews joined the original board of trustees for the Calico Rock Community Foundation. He gave the $500 the foundation needed to start a bank account. Larry says Matthews’ love for the Izard County town was evident.
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Matthews was also Hillary Clinton’s pastor when she was the First Lady of Arkansas and remained a spiritual advisor for the remainder of his life. He spoke with her from foreign countries, the White House and her residence in West Chester.
A memorial service for Ed Matthews will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday followed by a reception at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Masks are required by the church. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock.
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