Ralph Junior Matney

Ralph Junior Matney, 87, of Statesville, died Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Forsyth Medical Center.
He was born in Grundy, Virginia on April 23, 1933 to the late Elbert and Lula Matney.
Ralph retired after working 45 years in the coal mines of Virginia and West Virginia. He was loved by his family and his wife described him as the sweetest man that ever lived. Ralph loved to work on things and could fix anything. He was a people person, never met a stranger, and loved to have fun and joke around. He enjoyed gardening and fishing. Ralph was a Ford man and loved mustangs. He loved barbeque, Coca-Cola and watching westerns and wrestling.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Hazel Back Matney, a son, Daniel Matney (Sabra), a daughter, Rebecca Presnell (Tim), 6 grandchildren, Ethan Matney, Chloe Matney, Stephanie Ernest, CJ Rice (Hailey), Nick Rice, Seth Rice, 2 great-grandchildren, Elliott Rice and Russell Rice, special adopted families, Tina Canterbury (Maurice), Rebecca, David and DJ Canterbury, and Kelly Cloer, and close friends, Tina and Andy Fitzgerald.
A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm at New Hope Baptist Church with burial following in the Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Nicholson Funeral Home from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Memorial may be made to New Hope Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 149 New Hope Rd., Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be left at www.nicholsonfunerals.com .