Matthew Brackin Edens Leaves a Legacy of Kindness, Creativity and Unforgettable Journeys

 The Columbia community is mourning Matthew Brackin Edens, a 35-year-old remembered for his adventurous spirit, compassion, humor and deep care for others. Matthew died on September 5, 2026, leaving parents, relatives, friends and a circle of people who considered him family. Those who knew him are remembering a life shaped by freedom, creativity, travel and a willingness to offer kindness wherever he went. His passing has created an absence among people who valued his distinctive personality and generous heart.

Affectionately known by many as the “King of the Oogles,” Matthew embraced a life centered on exploration and the outdoors. He traveled across the world, hopped trains, camped, spent time beside rivers and enjoyed riding his bicycle. These experiences reflected a person drawn to movement, discovery and the freedom of the open road. The memories of those journeys offer loved ones a way to remember the curiosity and independence that made Matthew recognizable to so many.

His compassion was equally important to the people who knew him. Matthew spent time cooking and serving food to people experiencing homelessness, believing that those with the least still deserved dignity, warmth and kindness. That work reflected an empathy that reached beyond words and into action. Instead of simply speaking about caring for others, he used his time and energy to help people facing hardship. For those who witnessed that generosity, these acts remain an important part of his legacy.

Music provided another avenue for Matthew’s creativity. Through his work with Flail Records, his efforts reached audiences beyond his immediate circle. His music, including work connected to “Yes Ma’am,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart. That achievement represents a part of his creative life, but friends remember the person behind the music as much as the recognition. His art gave expression to experiences and a distinctive way of seeing the world that was connected to his life.

Matthew also built a network of friendships through his travels, music and involvement with the Muddy Roots community. His family remembered the connections he formed, with many friends becoming like relatives. He is survived by his parents, Greg and Brenda Edens; brother Alex Edens and Michaela; nephew Xander Edens; aunts Carol Ard, Peggy Hope and Randy, Christa Brackin, and Robin Spires and Rick; uncle Al Edens; numerous cousins; special friend Otter Celeste; and many friends.

A celebration of Matthew’s life is scheduled for September 19, 2026, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m., with viewing from 10:00 a.m. The family has suggested memorial donations to a local community food bank or homeless shelter in lieu of flowers. Such a gift reflects the compassion Matthew showed toward people experiencing hardship and offers those mourning him a way to honor his values.

Matthew’s memory will remain connected to the experiences that brought him joy and the people he helped: train whistles, campfires, bicycle rides, riverbanks, shared meals and familiar melodies may call his spirit to mind. At 35, his life ended far sooner than expected, but the stories, friendships and acts of kindness he left behind continue. Columbia now remembers Matthew Brackin Edens not only for his adventurous path, but for the generosity and humanity he brought to it.