Helen Matthews
December 23, 1924 - July 23, 2011
Helen A. Handley Matthews, 86, of Monticello, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello. She was the second of eight children born to the late Sloan and Julie Wells Handley. She was born December 23, 1924 in Drew County.
She grew up in Drew County and attended Mt. Olive School. Helen was employed at Robert Ellis Cleaners for several years and later worked at Burlington Spinning Mill until her retirement.
She confessed a hope in Christ and became a member of Pilgrim Rest A.M.E. Church and served until her departure. She served as a Steward, President of the Sunshine Club, President of Unit 7 of the Mary E. Lee Missionary Society, Church School Teacher, and Class Leader of the Children's Class Number 21. She sung in the Senior Choir, District Choir, South Arkansas Conference Choir, Celestial Choir, and Pilgrim Rest AME Choir. She also made several record recordings with the 'Gateway Quartet'.
Helen married Jesse Matthews in 1944 and to this union nine children were born, Ivory, Jesse Jr., Delton, Roy, Harrison, Leonard, Alvern and Dyann. They also had two other children, Doyle and Joyce. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Matthews and two sons, Ivory Matthews and Jesse Matthews, Jr.
Survivors include six sons, Willie Matthew (Shirley), Roy Matthews, Harrison Matthews (Carolyn), Leonard Matthews, all of Monticello, Delton Matthews (Lori) of Little Rock, Doyle Lambert (Mildred) of Ontario, CA; three daughters, Alvern Ivory of Sacramento, CA, Dyann Jacobs of Moreno Valley, CA and Joyce Eubanks (Bill) of Maumelle; five sisters, Freddie Gray of Detroit, MI, Alma Marshall and Willie Jewel Matthews, both of Sacramento, CA, Janie Leggett of Los Angeles, CA and Bernice Bennett (W. C.) of Compton, CA; a loving daughter-in-law, Edna Matthews of Detroit, MI; 34 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.
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