The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-08-01
FORMER LIBBY PASTOR
TAKEN BY DEATH

TAKEN BY DEATH
Mrs. A r. Blackwell is in receipt of
copy OF the Statesville Daily, of
Statesville, N C., that tells of the
death OF Rev. J. F. Matney, who at one
time was pastor of the Methodist
church of Libby. The obituary in the
Statesville paper reads as follows:
Rev. J. F. Matney, widely known
minister, whose fruitful labors for
nearly half century were largely
with the rural churches in different
parts of this state, passed away Sun
day morning July y at o'clock at
his home in DIN township, near Eu-
peptic Springs. He had been in de-
clining health for several years, but
was active in the ministry until he
became acutelv i'll last December He
was 76 years of age
Four years ago Mr.. Matney retired
from active ministry with the confer
ence, but since that time kept busy
until his last illness. He served FOR
some time before his death as pastor
of South River church and assisted
other ministers in their work. con-
Quoting funerals, performing marriage
ceremonies. etc. He first served the
north Iredell circuit 28 years ago and
he built his home in the DIN commun-
ity nine years ago with the idea OF
spending his last years in north Iredell
Mr. Matney was engaged in regular
pastoral work of the Methodist con-
ference for Dc years, during which time
he never missed single annual con-
F~ference and never missed but one roll
call and that was due to a belated
train His labors in Iredell county were
churches. His pastorates included
charges at Montezuma. Jefferson
Leicester and Pisgah in Buncombe
county, Clyde, in Haywood county
Baskerville, Asheville; Marshallburg. ir
Carteret county; Parmale. in Pitt coun-
"; Mount Pleasant, near Winston
Salem
He went West in 1916 and remained
there until 1924, when he returned Il
his native state of North Carolina L
continue his ministry here. In the Wes
he was pastor of Methodist churche.
at Thornton, Washington; Mussellshell
Libby and Redstone, Montana.
The funeral service was held thi
| afternoon at o'clock from Friendship
| Methodist church. near his home, will
| Rev j NJ Wall in charge, assisted b,
| Rev Grady White and other ministers
intimate friends of the deceased Inter
ment was in the Friendship churcl
/ cemetery.
James Finley Matney was born il
/ Caldwell county, near Patterson. Nov
| Is. 1858. son Of Rev. T w. Matney
Methodist minister His parents re
moved to Watauga county and his earl
! life was spent at Boone, where he re
ceived his education. He was license
: to preach in 1883 and Joined the Meth
odist conference in 1888. his first pas
torate being at Mount Pleasant church
near Winston Salem 1t is singular tina
after long ministry covering Mort
Carolina and other states his las
church, which he was serving fou
G years ago when he retired, was til
same in which he began his work !
y 1912 he was delegate to the genera
s conference in Minneapolis MINI.
6 addition to his pastoral duties, he wa
district superintendent of the Methods
conference in the Asheville district fo
q six years, and served as superintend
ent of the Statesville District for fou
: years. He built his home in the north
: ern part of this county nine years ag
G and spent the last few years of his lif
q there, but continued active in churc
Q and religious work until his recer
illness.
< His first marriage in 1880 was
Miss Lorena Austin, Of Ashe count,
From this union five children wer
born, of whom two survive-Mrs
K u Gibbs, Of Whittier; and Mrs. J.
Harmon, OF DIN township There al
eleven grandchildren and two great
i grandchildren. His first wife died
y years ago The second marriag
solemnized July 3, 1917, was to Mi:
s Mallie English, of Brevard, NJ c., WI
survives.
! Mr. Matney leaves also two brother
and sister-Mr M. L. Matney,
= Tenino, Washington; Rev G. w. Mai
: ney, of Elizabethton, Tenn; and Mr.
! Sam Blalock, of Newland