Althia Estelle Anna Matthews

Althia Estelle Anna Matthews,

was born March 3, 1928 to the late George and Ethel Caulk of Townsend, De.  She was one of five children.                                                      She departed this life peacefully on Friday January 13, 2023 at her home in the care and presence of her children James and Althea.

She completed her early education at school in Townsend, De later graduating from Howard High School in the class of 1947.  She was known by her classmates as one who knew her English and could teach it if she had to.  In later years She and her family moved to Wilmington, De. They became members of the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church then located at 10 ^th and Lombard Streets where they served faithfully.  She taught the Methodist Youth Classes and was also a Sunday School Teacher while she was there.

During the year 1948 she met a young man from Elkton, Maryland who became the love of her life, the Rev. James S. Matthews, Sr.. They were united in Holy Wedlock on July 1, 1950 and lived happily together for 60 years.  They did everything together and traveled all over the country.  They had a Beautiful  marriage that was blessed by the Lord.  When God called Rev. Matthews home on October 21, 2010 she was right there with him and continued to carry him in her heart.

From this union 2 children were born Rev. James S. Matthews, Jr. and Minister Althea B. Matthews. Mrs. Matthews was a homemaker. She was very active in her community.  Each year she took a part in joining some of the neighbors  going through the neighborhood collecting for Muscular Dystrophy.  During the summer she worked at the Wilmington Library.

In the years to follow the family changed memberships from the United Methodist Church and joined the 1 ^st & 4 ^th District of the Union American Methodist Episcopal Conference, then under leadership of Bishop Orville W. Forward.  It was during the year 1963 her husband Rev. Matthews, Sr was assigned to Bethany U.A.M.E. Church, New Castle, De to assist the pastor Rev. Alfred Miller who was ill.  Rev. Matthews was assigned as Pastor in 1964 and her life as a pastor’s wife began. While at Bethany she taught the Youth Fellowship classes and began to give her service to the missionary society.  When her husband Rev. James S. Matthews, Sr. retired they became members of Bethany U.A.M.E. Church New Castle, De. under the Pastor Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Wilmore. They both were faithful members. At each church that she was a pastor’s wife she took her position as the local president of the missionaries seriously and always made sure that everything was done in order.  She loved people and they loved her.  She always met you with a smile, had a listening ear and would give you good advice.  But don’t let her size fool you she could be stern when needed. She served faithfully as a local president in each church, Vice-President of the Sisterhood Society and then as President at the request of Bishop George Poindexter after the passing of his wife Sister Hilda J. Poindexter. She served on the Sisterhood Finance Committee along with Sis. Pandora Herrigan, The General Claims Committee, and was a part of the Kathryn Hackett Fund Committee. She received numerous honors and awards for her service and dedication to the Lord and the conference. She held that position of President of the Sisterhood Society until the Ordaining of Bishop Linwood Rideout III and she passed the baton to Sis. Patricia Ridedout.

She also was a part of the International Association Minister’s Wives and Minister’s Widows.  She was a member, then elected as a local president then to the state president position. She and her husband traveled all over the country and out of the country each year attending the conferences that were held in a different state or country each year.  On November 25, 2000, during the Founders Program  for the International Association of Minister’s Wives and Minister’s Widows, she was Inducted Into The Gallery of Fame. She was presented with a certificate and a Portrait of her hangs in the International Headquarters which is located in Richmond, Virginia. She has a true love for people. She had her own phone ministry. She had a list of persons that she stayed in contact with and would call to check up on them. Her mind was still sharp and she was always concerned for their welfare.  She would check up on her neighbors and they checked up on her.  They all called her Mom. She loved her family and was always glad to see them.  Especially her grandchildren, great-grand children and great-great grandchildren. To know her was to love her.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Ethel Caulk, her siblings, Beatrice Hawkins, Leonia Briscoe, Alvergia Chandler and James Wesley Caulk.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children Rev. James S. Matthews, Jr., Minister Althea B. Matthews, Daughter-Law Rev. Dr. Deborah C. Matthews, Adoptive Daughters Mrs. Joanette Ragsdale (Lee Roy), Rev. Sondra Taylor (Wade), Grandchildren James S. Matthews, III, Richard L. Matthews (Natisha), Great-Grandchildren Daelyn M. Matthews, Davis M. Matthews, Diamond Brown, Richard Matthews, Alijah Gregory, Ivian Wynn, Terrell Palmer, Jr., Great-Great Grandchildren, Mia Whitney, Maya Whitney, God-son Kyle Brown (Crystal), Devoted Friends Mr & Mrs. Ernest and Edith Brown, Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. and Anne Davis, Rev. & Mrs. Cleveland and Vosie Brocks, Host of Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces, Great Nephews, Great- Great Nieces, Great-Great Nephews, Great-Great-Great Nieces, Great-Great-Great Nephews and Friends

Proverbs 31-10

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is                                                                                                                                                                              above rubies                                                                                                               Humbly Submitted,                                                                                                                                                                                          The Family

A celebration of her life will take place on Monday January 30, 2023 at 7 pm. Viewing 4-6:45 pm St. Paul U.A.M.E. Church, 3114 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE 19802. Masks are mandatory. Interment Delaware Veterans Cemetery.

Live stream St. Paul UAME Church