Evelyn Matthews

Evelyn Barton Matthews of Colonial Heights died Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at Colonial Heights Health Care Center. She was married for 56 years to the late Fred L. Matthews. She was the daughter of Ruth M. Issac and Vern Douglas Barton. Mrs. Matthews was a resident of Colonial Heights since 1941. She was an active member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Petersburg, the Mary E. Sayers Sunday School Class and Christian Woman's Fellowship. She was one of the 22 charter members of the Colonial Heights Federated Woman's Club and in 1952 helped initiate a fund drive to build the Colonial Heights Community Building which was dedicated in 1955. Mrs. Matthews assisted in establishing the first library in Colonial Heights. She worked with the Registrar's Office in Colonial Heights part-time for 19 years. She and her husband were avid square dancers and belonged to the Circle and Swing Square Dancing Club. Mrs. Matthews is survived by her daughter Patricia (Patty) M. Simmons and her husband Danny and her son William B. Matthews, two grandchildren Jason M. Simmons and his wife Wendy and Derick L. Simmons and one great-grandson Luke A. Simmons and two great-granddaughters Anne C. Simmons and Madeleine E. Simmons. A funeral service will be held Monday, October 6, 2008, 11:00 a.m. in First Christian Church, 301 South Boulevard, Petersburg. Rev. Ron Hopkins will officiate. Interment will be in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George County. The family will receive friends Sunday 4-5:30 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard.