Betty Matthews Obituary

Betty Choate Matthews
GASTONIA, NC - Mrs. Betty Choate Matthews died March 21, 2017 at Covenant Village with her family at her bedside. Until a few weeks before death, she stayed interested in daily happenings and continued visits and outings with friends and family.
The only daughter of the late Joseph Leighton Choate, Jr. and Ruth Crowell Choate, Betty was born June 1, 1929 in Charlotte, NC.
She spent happy childhood summers at the Chaote/Crowell home in Montreat, NC, and at Camp Greystone, in the North Carolina mountains. She received her elementary and high school education in the Charlotte public school system. While in high school, she accompanied her parents to her brother's graduation at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and was introduced to his classmate, B. Frank Matthews, II, who later became her husband. She graduated from Charlotte Central High School and Mary Baldwin College in Stanton, Virginia. At Mary Baldwin, she was Vice President of the Student Government Association in her senior year.
After graduating from Mary Baldwin, Betty returned to Charlotte and became involved in the community as a member of The Junior League of Charlotte. She began a brief career as a teacher at St. Martin's Episcopal Church Day School in Charlotte. She was an active member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte until uniting with other members to found a mission church. She is a charter member of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
She and Frank Matthews were married November 25, 1953. She joined First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia and served with Frank as a youth leader for many years. She was a member of the initial Board of Trustees of Gaston Day School and a volunteer at Crisis Assistance Ministries.
She is a charter member of the Junior League of Gaston County. She was active in the Debutante Club and greatly enjoyed her association with the debutantes, many of whom stayed in touch and visited with her so long as she lived.
An avid reader, she almost always had at least one book as well as other literature in her current "reading stack." She enjoyed traveling and loved learning about the history and culture of countries visited.
Betty met her responsibilities with grace and dignity and was always mindful of others; but her truest self was centered in her faith, her family, and her friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Leighton Choate, III, Charlotte, NC and niece, Catherine Choate Ward, Winston-Salem, NC.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, B. Frank Matthews, II; daughters, Harriet Matthews Jackson, Aiken, SC; and Mary Matthews Vaughn and husband, Vernon, Gastonia, NC; son Eugene R. Matthews, II, and wife Katherine, Gastonia, NC; grandchildren: Peter Kemp Jackson, II; Franklin Matthews Jackson; Benjamin Franklin Matthews, III; Katherine St. Clair Matthews; and Elizabeth Choate Vaughn.
Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Annabelle Matthews Royster, Gastonia, NC; and Betsy Merritt Choate Sherard, Charlotte, NC; nieces: Annabelle Matthews Kelly and husband, R. William, Jr., Gastonia, NC; and Nora Matthews Hale and husband, Alfred B., Jr., Rome, GA; nephews: William Merritt Choate and wife Marcy, Charlotte, NC; The Reverend J. Houston Matthews, III, and wife Sharon; and Vann M. Matthews, II, and wife Alice, Gastonia, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 24, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, 1621 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054, with The Reverend Dr. John L. Frye, Jr., officiating.
A reception will be held in the Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. A private service of committal will be held for the family at Oakwood Cemetery.
The family wishes to express special thanks for the loving and caring attention given to Betty by Dr. Ron Digby and staff; physicians, nurses, and attendants at Caromont Health; caregiver Kathy Watkins; helper and family friend for more that fifty years, Charlie Holmes; and everyone at Covenant Village.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia of to Covenant Village Benevolent Fund, 1351 Robinwood Rd., Gastonia, NC 28054.
McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Mrs. Matthews.
Condolence messages and remembrances of Betty may be shared with her family at www.McLeanFuneral.com