Colonel “Matt” Matthew Bales, 50, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. He was born August 4, 1962 in Kanawa County, West Virginia.  He is preceded in death by his father, Byron Genon Bales,Sr., a sister, Tracy Bales and a brother Tony Bales.

He is survied by his mother, Barbara Thomas Bales of Fayetteville; one son, Cameron Matthew Bales, three daughters, Misty Jane Bales, Casey Leigh Ezzelle, and Tiffany Dawn Bales, two brothers, Mike Bales and Charles Brewer, five sisters, Gracie Nelms Decot, Sherry Yow, Wendy Emerson-Stroud, Teresa Bales and Belinda Bales, four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 29, 2013 from 12:00-1:45 pm at Cornerstone Funeral Home of Nashville and other times at the home of Wendy Emerson-Stroud, 5616 Temperance Hall Road, Elm City, NC 27822. A funeral service will follow in the Chapel of Cornerstone Funeral Home at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Bales-Reams Family Cemetery, 5616 Temperance Hall Road, Elm City, NC 27822.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Cornerstone Funeral Home in Memory of Matt for final expenses.