|This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Matt Jones. Matt was born on November 4, 1977, and grew up in Davie County, NC. Sadly, he passed on May 15, 2006 at the age of 28, as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Anyone who had the chance to know Matt knows what he did best was keep everyone around him laughing. Whether it was with a joke, some stupid trivia, or just one of his weird faces, he kept us rolling all the time. It has been so great to hear all the stories that people remember about Matt. If you have any, help us to keep his memory alive by posting them under the "tributes & condolences" tab at the top.


HOMESICK
MERCY ME

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now



Matt loved to fish, play guitar, and hang out with his friends and family. He worked for Matlock Flooring and took pride in his work. He was the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. He wasn't one to judge others and he hated gossip...he was always fussing at his Mom & sister about it.





Matt never had children of his own but became an uncle in July 2002. When McKenna was a baby he kept saying that he couldn't wait for her to get bigger so they could play. McKenna loves her uncle Matt so much. They always had fun picking on each other. Matt nicknamed her "Mer" (for her initials). He use to call her a sea donkey just to get her to argue with him...haha. She was almost 4 years old when he died.

 

"Look Uncle Matt, I'm going to Kindergarten!"



At the time of Matt's accident, he was dating Trisha. She had a 4 year old little girl named Francesca. Matt treated her as if she were his own and she absolutely adored him. Francesca called Matt her "Prince". Francesca is a beautiful little girl and we love her very much.



McKenna & Francesca

It seemed that everywhere he went, Matt knew someone. He had so many friends and loved ones.
Matt would have been surprised at the turn out for
his funeral. There was standing room only in the chapel that day.



His big heart and crazy sense of humor are missed so much. It never mattered what kind of mood we were in, Matt could make us laugh. His imitations were 
the best! I can't tell you how many times since he passed that I've heard him in my mind saying, "It's not about you!" in his best Dr. Phil voice...haha. It's just not the same walking in & not hearing him make 
a joke or see him in the recliner where he always took his naps. We will love and remember Matt forever. 

Matt had a few nicknames:
Mahoo, Foo Hoo, Red, Goober,
Buster, & Flick

    


Matt has now joined both his Papaws in heaven -
Paul Potts and William "Bub" Jones 


Matt is survived by:
Mom - Kathy Roberts
Stepdad - Donny Roberts
Dad - Sam Jones
Stepmom - Robin Jones
Sister - Lisa Reynolds
Neice - McKenna Reynolds
Step brother - Stevie Holleman
Step Sister - Amy Murphy
Grandma - Glania Potts
Grandma - Shirley Jones
And many aunts, uncles, cousins, 
and friends who love him dearly 



"A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam, and for a brief moment, its glory and beauty belong to our world....but then it flies on again. And though we wish it could have stayed, we feel so lucky to have seen it."


A note from Matt's sister: 

When Matt passed and I had to tell my (almost) 4 year old daughter that her uncle was gone, she kept saying "but what if I miss him"? So I explained to her that Matt is an angel now and will always be around and would always watch over her & could hear anything she said to him. Not long before his accident he & McKenna caught a catipillar. She named it "Leslie". But while they played with it on the deck, it disappeared. Matt explained to her that Catapillars turn into butterflies. So when I explained to McKenna that uncle Matt would always be around her, I told her that whenever she sees butterflies, its
Matt sending her his love. I cannot tell you how many times since that day that butterflies have flown right in my face & almost seem to be trying to tell me something. I know its Matt sending me his love & it brings me unbelievable comfort. So when I found this poem I knew it was perfect for Matt's site. 

When You See A Butterfly

My soul is released in Heaven
My spirit is in the wind,
I've arrived inside God's kingdom
In Heaven here with Him.

Inside this place of beauty
Enchantment always near,
Far past imagination
This land that has no fear.

Think of me when butterflies
Are flying everywhere
I'm singing, dancing, laughing
Free from earth's despair. 
                                                                   
The other side of tomorrow
Within God's time you'll see,
I know He'll bring you safely home
Then forever we will be.

Keep a song inside your heart
And know that I am free,
Do not weep in sorrow
When you remember me. 

  

We are so proud to say Matt was a donor. He has given the gift of sight to two people. 

Matt has been recognized on the following website for the NC Eye Bank:
http://www.nceyebank.org/html2006/eb_j.html



The Decision
Thanks, Mom, for your decision,
I'm really proud of you.
For you did something wonderful,
You knew I'd want you to.

We come to this earth to show love,
And to give as much as we can.
You made the decision to give part of me,
Knowing I'd help my fellow man.

I know that sometimes there's still sadness,
And you really miss seeing me.
Know that I'm always with you,
Just not physically.

You wear the green ribbon pin proudly,
And love for someone to ask.
To tell them your son was a donor
Is part of your work and task.

Mom, where I am now is wonderful,
It's beautiful, I don't have a care.
Remember, don't take your organs and 
tissue to heaven,
Cause we don't need them there. 




This verse was read at Matt's funeral 
and is also engraved on his memorial stone:

You can shed tears that I am gone
Or you can smile because I have lived

You can close your eyes and pray that I will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that I have left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see me
Or you can be full of the love that we shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember me and only that I am gone
Or you can cherish my memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what I would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. 
 
    

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone;

for part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide,

and though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.  
                                        



After you've looked at the site, it would mean so much to us if you would light a candle for Matt before you go(at the right side of the page).