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Matthew Scott Varnell

November 30, 1975 ~ January 13, 2015

Matthew Scott Varnell, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. He was born on November 30, 1975, the son of William Council "W.C." Varnell, Jr. and Patricia Ann Rose Varnell. Matthew was preceded in death by his brother, Kim Varnell. Matt was a loving son, devoted brother, caring friend and dedicated and loving father that was involved in every aspect of his children's lives, from cooking for them to taking them hunting, coaching their ball teams and cultivating their spiritual development. He was a hard-working employee at Hughes Supply for over 16 years. Matt was a faithful member of West Edgecombe Baptist Church his entire life where he served as Deacon, RA leader, Sunday school teacher and was also active on several committees. He was also an Upward Basketball and Little League baseball coach for many years where he touched the lives of many children and their parents. Matt was also very active at Bulluck School and served with the PTO. In his free time he loved to play golf and hunt. Matt was a living testimony to all those around him and his legacy was to magnify his Savior and multiply His Kingdom. In addition to his parents, Matt is survived by his sons, William Matthew Varnell and Gage Kent Varnell of Rocky Mount, NC; his brothers, Danny Varnell and his wife, Vickie of Rocky Mount, NC and Shane Varnell and his wife, Tracy of Rocky Mount, NC. He is also survived by nieces, Morgan, Haley, Bridget, Brandi, and Kamryn; and nephews, Braxton and Daniel. Matt is also survived by a special friend, Jenny Fuller and her sons, Cody and Jake Fuller of Rocky Mount, NC. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 2:00pm at West Edgecombe Baptist Church, 13821 NC 43, Rocky Mount, NC 27801 with Reverend Allen Mills officiating. Burial will be held at Pineview Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at West Edgecombe Baptist Church, 13821 NC 43, Rocky Mount, NC 27801. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Will and Gage Varnell College Fund, in care of Edward Jones, PO Box 8018, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Arrangements are entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation West Edgecombe Baptist Church 13821 NC Highway 43 N Rocky Mount, NC 27801 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-442-7041 --> | Saturday 1/17, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Service West Edgecombe Baptist Church 13821 NC Highway 43 N Rocky Mount, NC 27801 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-442-7041 --> | Sunday 1/18, 2:00 pm Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801

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  1. My prayers are with the family. Matt was a special young man. If I could bake a carrot cake and send it to heaven I would do it right now. He loved some carrot cake…I will miss you.

  2. i saw this and my heart sank…I wish this wern’t true. My prayers will be with Matt’s family and close friends. What a good human being he was.

  3. It was a privilege to know such a great person. I taught Will and Gage and they had the BEST DAD! Matt was always going above and beyond for his boys…bringing forgotten snacks back to school, signing reading logs and the numerous other things I wish all children could have in a dad! He created so many wonderful memories for his children, even though it was only for a short time, they will cherish them for a life time!

  4. I did not know Matt very but his testimony has been evident. He was a godly man who touched many lives. He will truly be missed. Thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this time.

  5. How do you say goodbye to such a wonderful friend Matt, Brandon and I loved you so much and thought the world of you and your family. We’ve known you for a long time. My husband helped build Matts home and has helped Matt with his properties…shortly after they became the best of friends. You always carried that sweet contagious smile and you were a great friend and amazing father to your boys. It’s gonna hurt not seeing you ride by our house or stop by spontaneously to see Brandon just to talk….He’s having a hard time coping with this after seeing you on Friday and talking to you hours before. Thank you for giving us the pleasure of knowing you and all the great advice you gave us and for being a mentor and role model to my husband. You were his very best friend and our hearts are so heavy right now but we know you’re with our heavenly father. God gained one of his finest angels. RIP Matt We love you Matt!!! Brandon and I send our deepest condolences to the Varnell family and to his two sweet boys Will and Gage….My heart goes out to all of you. Love, Brandon, Joy, Bryan and Briana Hines

  6. It was a privilege to know such a great person! I taught Will and Gage and they had the BEST DAD! Matt was always going above and beyond for his boys…bringing forgotten snacks back to school, signing reading logs, and the numerous other things I wish all children could have in a dad! He created so many wonderful memories for Will and Gage, even though it may have been only for a short time, they will cherish these memories for a life time!

  7. I’m praying for your family during this time. May God be with you all! Kim Call Hughes Statesville

  8. Matt, you will be missed. Our thoughts & prayers go out to your family. Threatt Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Co.

  9. You will always be my favorite person to share a my birthday with. How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard …Winne the Pooh Praying for peace and understanding the days to come…..until we meet again. RIP my friend. Melanie Gay Thomas CO 94 SWE

  10. I remember you as a little boy riding Baby Doll with the rest of the group. I remember you coming over to the house and playing basketball. I remember coaching you for 3 years in basketball and those were 3 great years for me. I remember so many things but if I had to pick one I remember your smile and laugh. You were a good boy growing up and you turned into an even better man. I will miss you buddy but I will never forget you. I remember you were born and since then you have been nothing short of a good friend and great father. R.I.P. Matt. A job well done. .

  11. Matt was one of a kind. I know he is in heaven as he was very much a Christian man and a wonderful person. I will miss our talks from when he stopped by our office. Prayers for his family and especially his boys. He loved them so much and always put their needs first. RIP Matt, Rejoice in Heaven.

  12. Gail and I want to extend our sympathy to the Varnell family, who we have known for many years. We remember watching the boys grow up at West Edgecombe Baptist Church. I remember thinking that a parent should not have to bury their son, but then God is never wrong, and His ways are not our ways. None of us are promised another day, only that He will be with us in all things if our faith is in Him. We will be praying for you all, for peace, comfort and only the best memories of Matt now and in the future, especially for his precious children, loving parents and brothers. God’s blessings on you all.

  13. Trying so hard to focus, the more I focus the more I think of Matt. Can’t get it off of my mind. The world was a better place because of you, and I now know heaven is even more brighter. I believe if Matt could share something with his friends that he left behind today, it would be this My dear friend, close your eyes… hold my hand, and hear me whisper… For the times I was lost, you were there to look for me. Will you believe me when I say I love you more than you’ll ever know. Will you trust me when I say …this time you have to let me go. My dear friend, I must leave. The world no longer needs me. It’s my time to be gone, until we meet again someday. Don’t you cry now, I know I’ll be okay. Trust that I’ll never forget you. Don’t be sad now, just close your eyes until it’s through. Hold my hand, don’t open your eyes yet… wait when I no longer whisper.. My dear friend, you’ll be fine. I’ll be up there watching over you. For the times I’ll be gone, don’t ever forget the words I whispered to you. God calls on my name… and I have to let go of your hand now… Please don’t cry… and smile for me.. because I’m with the one who made us friends. Remember, I’ll always love you. so come, wave me goodbye… It’ll be painful but we have to… Hug me, hug me tight, feel the words I can no longer say. My dear friend, I’m going to miss you. just pray because I’ll always listen. and one day, when it’s your time, I’ll be there for you… Just like the way I used to. Class of 1994, South West Edgecombe High school Classmate I’ll always remember your graceful style, RIP Melissa Taylor Rocky Mount, NC

  14. Matt and I went to SWE together and were in homeroom together all 4 years of high school. He was a wonderful person then just as he was as an adult. He was always smiling and genuinely a happy person. I believe Matt wad this way because of the life that he led. I have not seem Matt in a few years but tried to keep up on Facebook. We hung out at Jarrett’s wedding rehearsal and reception. My husband and I also caught up with him a time or two at LKG. Matt will truly be missed and I am praying daily for his family, loved ones, and friends. May you be comforted by knowing that Matt is with our Lord and savior. He is rejoicing with the angels in heaven. I pray that God will bring you peace and comfort. There is a poem I would like to share with Matt’s family and friends that I pray will help. It is called I Was With You I was with you as you cried last night, so much for counting sheep. Your thoughts were running rampant, it was hard for you to sleep. I knew you were missing me and wishing I was there. You laid awake all night thinking of the memories we shared. I watched as you tried to eat lunch, you couldn’t even drink your tea. You were thinking of all the things you wish you’d said to me. I wanted to say Don’t worry…Seriously, It’s okay. I know every word you would say to me if we had another day. I was with you when you visited my grave today. I heard you cry out to God, why did you take him away As hard as you try, you can’t figure out why it had to be me. Your mind is so scrambled, but someday you will see. You will know why this happened, the reason I had to leave. You will understand it all in time, ’til then, just believe. There’s a higher Power working and He has a perfect plan. I didn’t see it either, but trust me on this-if you can. Someday when it’s your time to come to the other side, I’ll rush to welcome you with my arms open wide. I’ll show you around Heaven, there’s so much to see. But that time is not now, that’s just the way it must be. You must live out your journey as I had to live out mine. And know His timing is perfect, we must trust the Divine. So go live, laugh, and love – be who you’re supposed to be. And when your job on earth is done, come Home and be with me. -Author Unknown I know this will not stop the pain for now but much love and prayers to the family and friends of Matt. My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Matt touched the lives of many and had a beautiful soul. May you find peace in God and your wonderful memories of times shared because your memories will last forever. May God Bless You All!!! Tammy Wallace Sholar SWE Class of 1994

  15. I knew Matt from SWE..not very well but he was always a super nice guy. My prayers go out to his family and friends. Gone too soon, but know that his is in heaven with the loved ones he’s lost.

  16. What a tragic loss of such a fine man, father, son, brother and friend. It is difficult to comprehend his absence from our daily life on earth. The void he leaves behind can only be filled with cherished memories but the example he set in everyday life is one that we should ALL follow with diligence. God has now taken him for a greater purpose. Never forgotten brother, Eric Deal

  17. My heart and prayers are with the family and friends of Matt! My son Terry Ezzell and Matt played school ball together! He will be missed!

  18. Richard and I were saddened to learn of Matt’s passing. He will be missed by every member of West Edgecombe Baptist Church and all the many lives he touched. His smiling face will never be forgotten. Richard and Marion Moore.

  19. I cried through it all too…breaks my heart that Matts gone. Still doesn’t seem real. Still praying daily for the family.


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