Matthews Millionaire's Dying Wish: Destroy My House

Frank Renfrow gave away a lot of money in his will. He left $1 million for Matthews Presbyterian Church. He gave another $100,000 to First Baptist Church of Matthews. Alma matter Davidson College is receiving $10,000. But Renfrow didn't want to leave behind everything. He instructed that his picturesque house in downtown Matthews, which his father built in 1926, be either burned or demolished. The Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly has the story here, including pictures. Renfrow died in December at 77. The paper reports his estate is estimated at $13 million. Matthews Mayor Jim Taylor told the paper that the town won't challenge the will. "The town decided it was not in the best interest of either party to challenge the last wishes of Mr. Renfrow. We regret Mr. Renfrow did not want to preserve the home (but) we feel that his wishes to do with his property as he saw fit should be honored." The executor of the will, David Blackley, declined WFAE's request to talk about Mr. Renfrow's wish. He said Renfrow was a quiet man, and doesn't think he'd want him talking about the will.