Barbourville, Ky. – Matthew Steven Ricky Wood or Tater Bug as his daddy called him, of Girdler, Kentucky, departed this life Sunday, May 15, 2022. Matthew’s birth was a celebration; he was born on September 7, 2005, in Corbin, Kentucky, to Kimberlee Hembree. Kimberlee selflessly gave Steve and Rita the best gift of their lives, their son Matthew. Her gift of life gave Steve and Rita the chance to love and care for Matthew for nearly 17 years and for that they will be eternally thankful.
Matthew was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Faye Farmer, Uncle Doug Farmer, cousins Shawn Farmer, Danny Burnett, Kim Burnett, Billy Farmer and Natalie Turner as well as paternal grandparents, Robert and Ruth Wood and Uncle Ricky Wood.
Matthew was a Christian and a member of Locust Grove Baptist Church. His passion was spending time with his two papaws, playing with his dogs Squirt, Snowball, Bob, and his papaw Spuds’ dog Budd. Matthew admittingly despised school but loved archery and was a natural at it, competing at the state level his first year. He also enjoyed participating in Odyssey of the Mind becoming best friends with several of his teammates in elementary school.
Matthew’s daddy instilled in him a love for shooting pool which fast became a favorite activity of his. He also loved working with his daddy at the transmission shop and was excited about starting his first “real” job this week at IGA. However, Matthew’s favorite past time was fishing, especially with his girlfriend Madison, his daddy, and his cousin Logan. Matthew would rather fish than eat or sleep! Another favorite pastime of his was playing Xbox with his buddies – best friends Nathaniel, Tucker, and Jacob, among many others.
Matthew had many close relationships, including with his “Uncle” Danney who taught him many life lessons. He was also blessed to have a special friend in Madison Black whom he loved spending time with. Matthew will forever be remembered as a jokester, making people laugh was his goal. Just ask Tiana (or T as he called her since fourth grade) or Haley Nicole whom he had known since birth.
Left behind to celebrate Matthew’s life are his parents Steve and Rita Wood of Girdler, Kentucky, Grandfather Harold Farmer of Girdler, Kentucky, special friend Madison Black of Flat Lick, Kentucky, giver of life Kimberlee Hembree, and half-sisters Haylee and Alyson Farris. Several uncles and aunts, Jeff and Jeanna Farmer of Nicholasville, Kentucky, Dan and Melody Lambo of Girdler, Kentucky, Wayne and Dina Redwine of Barbourville, Kentucky and Robert and Marsha Wood of Gulf Shores, Alabama, also survive Matthew as do a host of cousins, and relatives who will continue to honor his memory and many, many, friends who will miss him tremendously.
The Wood Family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM and Friday, May 20, 2022, from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM. Reverend David Barnard will officiate, accompanied by Reverend Scott Hammons. Musical Tributes to be performed by Tommy Frazier, Jr. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Farmer Wood Cemetery at Girdler, Kentucky. Pallbearers are Matthew’s best friends Tucker Brown, Nathaniel Stanley, Lucas Lambo, Logan Lambo, Jeffery Farmer, Aaron Shelton, Jason “Earl” Payne, Gavin Chadwell, Brady Mills, Jacob Jones, Josh Hoskins and Dalton Alsip. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew’s archery and Odyssey of the Mind team members.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, our Directors, Mrs. Bonita Bingham Creech and Mr. Robin Reese, and our staff express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Matthew Steven Ricky Wood.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Matthew Steven Ricky Wood.
