Samuel James "Sam" Matthews Jr.

Samuel James Matthews Jr.

Samuel James Matthews Jr. "Sam" of Cobham, Virginia, departed this life on Saturday, January 2, 2010, at age 75.

Sam Matthews was born on April 28, 1934, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the youngest of two children born to the late Samuel James Matthews, Sr. and Florence (Davenport) Matthews. In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Lee Matthews Evans; and nephews, Dwayne Anthony Matthews and Cal Damon Evans.

Sam attended grammar school in Queens, New York, and Baltimore, Maryland. During his formative years, Sam moved to Cobham, Virginia, where he attended the former historically segregated Jackson P. Burley High School and was a dynamic football player for the "Burley Bears." He matriculated from Morgan State College in 1957 earning a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History. While at Morgan, he played fullback for the Morgan State Bears and received numerous accolades. Upon graduation Sam joined the United States Army and honorably served from July 10, 1957, to July 11, 1959. Sam moved to New York City, where he served his community as a leader and mentor with a rewarding career of over 25 years with New York City's Department of Parks and Recreations. As the Director of Recreation until he retired in 1992, Sam was responsible for programming and training leaders for tomorrow. This was his gift and life's work.

Sam was united in holy matrimony to Neva Dell Billups in 1969 and although no biological children came from their union, they nurtured and raised many. Sam was a Christian man and accepted the Lord as his Savior through baptism at the The Greater Rescue Church of God in Christ-Jamaica, New York, under the late Elder Holderlin.

He leaves to cherish his memory, a loving and devoted wife of 40 years, Neva Matthews; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010, at St. John Baptist Church in Cobham, Virginia.

Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Pastor Kelvin R. Hawkins will officiate and Minister Dustin Berlack Sullivan will deliver the Eulogy.

J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. jfbellfuneralhome.com


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.