Thelma Rachael Matthews

1924 - 2017

Thelma Rachael Matthews

AGE: 92 • Toms River

Thelma Rachael Matthews, 92, of Toms River was born November 22, 1924 and died January 31, 2017 at Rose Garden Nursing & Rehab.

Thelma attended the historic one room Georgia Road School House in Freehold Township. A memory she shared of that time was that a boy, who would later marry her sister, would get to school very early to make sure the wood stove had the school room warmed in the winter. Her passion was her home and her family. She raised her five children in Toms River. She suffered the death of her infant first born - a son, the death of her 36 year old daughter from juvenile diabetes complications and becoming a widow while in her 60's at the death of her husband from lung cancer. She was the oldest of the large Clark clan. She loved her brothers and sisters dearly. Her home was spotless. Like clockwork, 12 noon was lunch and 5 pm was supper. She liked making afghans and was a fierce pinochle, jacks and checkers player. Life wasn't always easy but she was a strong lady. She survived hard times, ovarian cancer and in her later years had many health challenges but with her will to live, her toughness and the care she received at Rose Garden Nursing, she endured.

Surviving are her children: Judith Iovino (Joseph) Beachwood; Edwin Matthews (Sharon) Stuart FL; Jeanne Reilly Brick; Darlene Pruey North Port FL; Grandchildren: Joseph, Ronald, Eric, Kerry, Jennifer, Jessica, Jeanine, Robert; Great Grandchildren: J.T., Kristi, Jacquelyn, Emma, Connor, Joshua, Maddison, Reilly, Alan, Alex, Elijah, Josiah, Robbie; Brothers: Ernest Clark, Lloyd Clark; Sisters: Joyce Briggs, Shirley Hewes; Sisters-in-law: Adeline Clark, Alice Clark and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by parents: Alvin & Mildred Clark; husband: Fred Matthews; children: Freddie & Patricia; brothers: Alvin, James, Vernon; sisters: Betty Davison, Elsie Harting, Joan Megill, and Marion Clark.

A committal service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Ocean County Memorial Park, 1722 Silverton Rd., Toms River. Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home in Toms River is in charge of arrangements.