Obituary of Leatrice Matthews

Leatrice Faye Hobbs Matthews, 86, a lifetime resident of Raleigh, died peacefully with her family by her side late Wednesday evening at Rex Hospital after a stroke earlier in the day.

Leatrice was born on March 19, 1927 to the late Milton Ernest Hobbs and Effie Mary Poole Hobbs. She grew up in Raleigh as a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and attended Hugh Morson High School. She worked for Adler Shoe Store in downtown Raleigh and became a homemaker after her marriage to Clement Hamilton "Ham" Matthews in 1958.

She enjoyed softball her entire life and was named an Allstate softball pitcher in 1945. She threw the opening pitch at the last regular Durham Bulls home game at the original Durham Athletic Park.

She was Past-President of the Raleigh Opti-Mrs. Club, a Charter Member of the Raleigh Garden Club, and was instrumental in establishing Worthdale Park in Raleigh. She was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Jim Hunt for her lifelong service to the State of North Carolina in 1982.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Montlawn Funeral Home with Dr. Wayne Hager, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Montlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1 - 2 p.m. Saturday prior to the service.

Leatrice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, and her brothers, Milton Earnest Hobbs, Jr., L.T. Hobbs, and Rupert Hobbs.

She is survived by her son, Clement H. Matthews Jr. and his wife Kristin; her daughter, Darleen M. Johns and her brother, Lorenzo "Bitsy" Hobbs, all of Raleigh. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to her caregiver, June Mathews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC 27613 or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 (www.montlawn.com)