Matthew Douglas Pritchett, age 59, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2026, at his home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, September 20 in the Massey Funeral Home Chapel in Louisville with Bro. Jimmy Dempsey officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service at Massey Funeral Home from 2 p.m. until service time. Interment will immediately follow the service in Coy Community Cemetery in Neshoba County.
Matthew was born September 11, 1967, to Billy Joe and Anne Buckalew Pritchett in Wiggins, Mississippi.
He had a special heart for the elderly, especially his mother who he took breakfast to and spent time with every day. With a strong mother-son bond, Ann and Matthew spent a lot a time together. His father Billy Joe shared his knowledge with Matthew and was his role model. Being the youngest, his sisters Angie and Penny always looked out for him. As a confidant, his brother Phillip was always there for Matthew.
Matthew looked forward to outdoor games with family, especially his nieces even though he occasionally got roughed up. He could often be found in the company of close friends playing cards, having a friendly pool competition, shooting skeets, or just hanging out. Making old cars and trucks go fast was also one of his favorite hobbies.
His grandfather, Barney taught him to love the outdoors, where you could often find Matthew hunting. His mother-in-law, Janette, was one of his favorite fishing buddies. As a devoted Alabama football fan, he collected and decorated his shop with University of Alabama memorabilia.
As a skilled operator equipment mechanic, he worked pipeline jobs across the country. In between pipeline jobs, he worked with Charles and Johnny at Choctaw Rails.
Matthew is survived by his loving wife, Melissa Stokes Pritchett; his sisters, Penny Hill Sistrunk (Richard) and Angie Dempsey (Jimmy) all of Louisville; and his brother, Phillip Pritchett (Jan) of Hampton, Georgia. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Janette Stokes; his sisters-in-law, Michelle Keever (Merle), Becky Ellis, and Kay Barfoot; and brothers-in-law, Johnny Stokes (Martha) and Ricky Barfoot; in addition to his loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David Pritchett; his grandparents, Barney and Mattie Bell Buckalew and Dixie and Onie Pritchett, his father-in-law, Charles Stokes; and his brother-in-law, Chuck Barfoot.
Serving as pallbearers are Phillip Pritchett, Steve Allen, Chris Mitchell, Kevin Carter, Johnny Stokes, and Tyler Kilgore. Honorary pallbearers are John Miles, Marty DePriest, Richard Boatner, Greg Henderson, Ronnie Bennett, Chris VanLandingham, Barry VanLandingham, and Neal Gregory.
