Magdalene Matthews

Mrs. Bertha Magdalene Matthews, 88, passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Arbor Ridge at Stanleyville. A celebration of her life will held at Palmyra United Methodist Church in Germanton, NC on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., with Dr. Randy Waugh and the Reverend Johnny Lord officiating. Interment will be in the Palmyra Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Church fellowship hall after the service. Magdalene was born on August 19, 1927 to Ichabod "Bud" and Bertha Tuttle Heath in Stokes County. She met Willie L. Matthews, Jr. at a "foot washing" at Flat Shoals Primitive Baptist Church at the age of 15, and after his return home from serving in the Navy during World War II, they were married on October 9, 1948. Magdalene worked for Western Electric for five years, and as a homemaker, loving and caring mom for her two sons, Terry and Ron, for the balance of her life. Magdalene was blessed to be a member of Maple Springs United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. In addition to her parents, Magdalene is preceded in death by her husband, Willie L. Matthews, Jr., three brothers, Elmer, Ray, and Buddy Heath, and her four sisters, Beulah Watson, Ethel Chapman, Savannah Abbott, and Wilma Abbott. She is survived by her two sons, Dr. Terry L. Matthews, and his wife Julie of Asheboro, N.C., and Ron A. Matthews, and his wife Kim, of Oak Island, N.C. Magdalene is also survived by her five beloved grandchildren, James Christopher Matthews (Betsey) of Candler, NC, Jonathan Scott Matthews (Michelle) of Columbia, SC, Sarah Katherine Matthews of Chapel Hill, NC, Meredith Nicole Fogleman (Michael) of Westfield, NC, and Morganne Jayne Matthews of Winston-Salem, NC; and many special nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Arbor Ridge Stanleyville, as well as Dr. David Smull and the staff of the Heart Failure Clinic at Forsyth Hospital, for their wonderful care for Magdalene. The family is especially grateful for the compassionate care that was provided by Dr. David M. Tarter during her last hospitalization. Dr. Tarter was a special gift of "grace." The family requests that memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church (Asheboro), to Maple Springs United Methodist Church (Winston-Salem), or Palmyra United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund. Arrangements by Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro.