Born in the rural north Alabama town of Stevenson on January 13, 1941, Jim was the only son of Daisy Leona Hartsell and Robert Lee Matthews. He grew up on the family farm, attended the local schools and graduated in the class of 1959 from Stevenson High School. As the hand of providence would continue to provide for Jim throughout his life, he received a scholarship from Avondale Mills to Auburn University, where he earned a BS degree in Textile Management. After graduation, Jim worked at Avondale Mills in Birmingham AL before joining the US Air Force, serving four years during the Vietnam War. He returned to Avondale Mills as an evening supervisor until the plant closed due to the imports of less expensive textiles. A federal grant and the GI bill allowed Jim to attend the School of Nursing at Carraway Methodist Medical Center, where he became a registered nurse He worked in the neurosurgery unit at Carraway before his acceptance in the Nurse Anesthetist Program at the University Of Alabama School Of Medicine at UAB. Returning to Carraway, Jim enjoyed a long career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. His dedication and compassion for his patients and coworkers during his thirty years of service at Carraway was exemplary. During a winter storm in 1989 that paralyzed the city, Jim walked from his home in Glen Iris to Carraway Methodist Medical Center, some eight miles away, in the ice and snow to unselfishly fulfill his obligation.
Jim loved nature the outdoors. A cherished childhood memory for Jim was fishing with his grandmother using a freshly picked cane pole. Gardening and landscaping were his passion, and he was known for propagating Japanese maple trees. His yard was filled with many native plants that he often shared with others. His abiding interests in art, photography and music, especially Cajun music included an extensive record collection and attending Cajun dance festivals throughout the Southeast. In retirement, Jim spent many enjoyable times at the beach in the Panama City, FL area. He remained active with his high school classmates and attended family reunions and Depot Days in Stevenson, AL. Jim was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Stevenson, AL.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a sister, Robbie Pauline Davis, and a nephew, Billy Carol Davis. Survivors include his sister Rena Mae Blevins, of Decatur, AL; nephews Jeffrey Dean Davis & his wife Patricia, Gary Donald Davis & his wife Cathy, Phillip Wayne Davis & Rayford Lee Davis; cousins Talley Beth Matthews and Judy Tarrantio; and his longtime friend Ron Lackey. Honoring his desires, no services will be held and his cremains will be scattered over his eternal Gulf of Mexico at a later date.
God created us to be who we are; our decisions later are what to do with life experiences. Jim lived a long life of fulfilling experiences with his gentle spirit, commendable works, and endearing friendships.