Obituary of J. Stacy Matthews

Joseph Stacy Matthews, 86, of Raleigh, passed away Thursday evening, July 18, 2013 at his home.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel with Military Honors and Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Burial will follow in Montlawn Memorial Park.

A native of Wake County, Stacy was born April 29, 1927, the son of Thomas Stanhope Matthews and Burnell Woodward Matthews. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He retired as a general manager of WoolCo - F.W. Woolworth Co., was a Past Master of the William T. Bain Lodge #231 A.F. & A.M. and a member of the McCullers Ruritan Club. Stacy was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex and a former member and deacon at First American Baptist Church in Augusta, GA.

Stacy is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Violet Byrum Matthews; sons, Daniel Stacy Matthews of the home, Jack Byrum Matthews of Blythewood, SC; daughter, Brenda Matthews Csolak of Fuquay-Varina; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or at www.hospiceofwake.org or to Fairview Baptist Church, 5608 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex, NC 27539.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, N.C. Condolences may be made at www.montlawn.com