Funeral services for Matthew Dillon Abshire, age 18, of Gary, Texas, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2009, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dale Reed and Sis. Betty Wills officiating. Interment will follow in Restland Memorial Park near Carthage. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Mr. Abshire passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2009, near Carthage.

Matthew Dillon Abshire was born on April 7, 1991, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Kirk and Tammy Fields Abshire. Dillon attended Gary High School and was on track to graduate in May with the class of 2010. He participated in 4-H Shooting Sports, where he ranked 8th in the state in 2008. Dillon was employed at Hooper Feed in Carthage. He enjoyed customizing trucks, hunting, and fishing. Dillon moved to Panola County in 2000, from Louisiana. He attended Abundant Life Church and more recently Carthage Missionary Baptist Church.

Dillon is survived by his parents, Kirk and Tammy Abshire of Gary, TX; one brother, Brandon Stone of Denham Springs, LA; one sister, Stevi Abshire and husband Brad Fitch of Waskom, TX; maternal grandparents, Jerrel and Linda Fields of Carthage, TX; paternal grandparents, Edison and Mitha Abshire of Kaplan, LA; and one nephew, Christian Stone of Denham Springs. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Dillon.

Serving as pallbearers are Chase Brown, Cameron Miller, Colton Holland, Garrett Leuxman, Nick Osborn,Whitton Thompson, Cody Mayo and Rusty Hall.

If desired, memorials may be made in Dillon's name for funeral expenses to the First State Bank, P.O. Box 579, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.