Alfred Ray Matthews, Sr., age 70, of the 1400 block of Hwy 11, South, died Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Matthews was born on October 8, 1938, in Chowan County, a son of the late Lloyd Lathan and Corey Leggett Matthews. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, served in the NC Army National Guard, and was a retired Sergeant with the N.C. Department of Corrections, after serving for 30 years. Alfred Ray, affectionately known to many as “Rockfish” was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Ola Ray Rawls Matthews; his daughters, Phyllis Gwen Matthews Coburn of Virginia Beach, VA, and Jamie Lynn Rawls Matthews of Aulander, NC; his sons, William E. “Billy” Matthews, Alfred R. “Buck” Matthews, Jr. both of Aulander, and Jeffrey Wayne
Matthews of Windsor, NC; two sisters, Rachel Matthews Conner of Aulander, and Janice Matthews Riddick of Edenton, NC; three brothers, Bobby Matthews of Aulander, Gene Matthews of Newsoms, VA, and Jesse Matthews of Como, NC ; thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mr. Matthews was predeceased by a brother, Thomas L. Matthews; a daughter, Julie Christal Matthews; a granddaughter, and a great granddaughter.
A celebration of life service will be conducted on Friday, September 11, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. in the Ashley Memorial Chapel of Garrett-Jones Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Jarrell and Rev. J. N. Baggett officiating. Burial will follow in Aulander Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. tonight, and other times at the home. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made in his memory to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 221 Pleasant Grove Road, Aulander, NC, 27805.
Family and friends may send condolences and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.garrettjonesfh.com.