Arminous Rudolph Matthews III

Arminous Rudolph Matthews III, born on July 29, 1971, passed away on April 16, 2026, in Phoenix, AZ. He will be remembered as a charismatic and humorous entrepreneur, a father & stepfather, grandpa, brother, big cousin and friend whose presence brought strength and laughter to those around him.

Arminous was the beloved son of Alisha (Lisa) Hopper and Sgt. Arminous Matthews II. He was born in St. Louis, MO. He attended Cordova Elementary, Alhambra High School, and Maryville High School. He attended Phoenix College and obtained his CDL license. After many years in logistics and warehouse work, as well as at the Post-Dispatch, Arminous found a way to combine his love of cars and his entrepreneurial passion when he transitioned to a new career path in the trucking industry. In addition to his love of cars, fashion, and fun, he adored becoming a grandpa and spending time with his friends and family. Those who knew him best will remember his big personality, quick wit, how he always dressed to impress, and the way he could make people feel at home with a story, a laugh, or a helping hand. He was always ready to show you a good time, but not necessarily a long time. As his children have stated, his presence was unmatched, and you could always feel his absence. He was loved beyond measure and will be missed dearly.

Arminous was preceded in death by his father, Sgt. Arminous Matthews, Jr.; his grandfather, Arminous R. Matthews Sr.; grandmothers, Margaret Hall and Mary Matthews; great-uncles, Nathaniel Matthews, Harris Pendleton, and Robert Earl Henderson, Sr.; uncles, William (Leon) Penn Sr., Danny L. Henderson Sr., Julius Henderson, Robert E. “Bobby” Henderson, Jr., and Michael Matthews; stepfather, Walter Harris; and first cousin, Rachel Hopper.

He is survived by his mother, Alicia Hopper; siblings, Kevin Matthews and Marshall Matthews; children, Kaylee Nixon, Caleb (Savanna) James, Jessica Reynolds, and Armanee Monet Matthews; stepdaughter, Ashanti Wright; grandchildren, Evelynn Mika, Leianna Reynolds, and Harlem Reynolds; uncles, Virgil (Eloise) Hopper and Charles Gray; aunts, Dianne Matthews, Carolyn Gray, Jenna “Gina” Matthews, Cordelya Edna Adams, Vanessa Hall, Sharon Hall, and Denise Hall; first cousins, Cornell Smith, Michael Joiner, Melissa (Lance) Green (children: Julianna (Brandon) Cookseys and Jonthan Green, Donnel (Darnell) Rush (children: Christopher (Cameren) Shelby, David Shelby, and Ashia Shelby), Charles Adam (children: Jared Harmon, Bryson Adams, and Amari Adams-Willis), LaTasha (Lloyd) Gordon-Payton (child: Londyn Logan), Virgil Hopper Jr., Danny Henderson Jr., Daniel (Amber) Hopper (children: Nora Hopper and Suri Hopper), LaNetra Harris, Vershall O’Conner, Lakisha Mitchell (child: Tyson Mitchell), Courtney (Cotrane) Penn (child: Cortney Penn Jr.), Gwendolyn Adams (child: Jayla Davis), Annalisa Dobbs-Kramer (child: Hope), Anthony Matthews, Veronica Matthews, Nathaniel Matthews, Donna Matthews, Adrian Matthews, Teron Sutherlin and Chrissy Gray; great first cousins once removed, David Pendleton, Stanley Pendleton, and Valerie Pendleton; and a host of extended family and friends.

Service Information: Memorial events will be announced by the family.