Nancy Lee Matthews

Nancy Lee Matthews, beloved daughter of the late Alfred Floyd and Helen Mae Crippen, was born on January 19, 1951 in Onley, Virginia. On Sunday, February 23, 2025, she was called from labor to reward at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Maryland.
Nancy was educated in the public schools of Accomack County and was a graduate of Mary N. Smith High School. On February 21, 1979, she married the love of her life, the late Oliver Matthews. Their union was blessed with forty-four years of love and devotion. Nancy was employed at the Parksley Migrant Head Start Center in Parksley, Virginia for a period of time before becoming a full-time homemaker.
Nancy was the co-founder of St. Matthews Christ United Church in Onley, Virginia. There she served as the co-pastor and treasurer under the leadership of her late husband, Bishop Oliver Matthews for many years. In 2022, Nancy joined the congregation at Restoration Outreach Healing Ministries under the leadership of Bish-op Jo Ann McCrary.
Nancy was a beautiful, sweet spirit, virtuous woman of God. Her smile was infectious, it could light up any room. She was loved by so many. In her leisure, Nancy enjoyed eating out, talking on the phone, reading her Bible, and of course keeping OJ on his toes. Phil was definitely the "apple of her eye." Each night faithfully at 7:00 PM, she would be tuned into Steve Harvey on the Family Feud. Another favorite pastime was watching the Young and the Restless, Bold and Beautiful, and many movies on Lifetime. Nancy could be found laid back in her recliner with her blanket. She didn't miss counting too many sheep because she definitely was a sleeping beauty.
Nancy was sure to always look her best whenever she stepped out. She was always adorned in her gold jewelry and fancy nails. Nae Nae made sure her hair and makeup were on point. She also didn't mind packing her bags and traveling to New Jersey to spend time with her sisters, Mary and Lizzie.
Nancy was truly a loving, caring, and praying mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She will be greatly missed. God had other plans for her and she is now rejoicing with the angels.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Nancy was preceded in death by her grandson, Rykese Brown; sib-lings, Mildred Crippen, Vincent Crippen, Joanne Teasley, and Harold Crippen; and great-grandson, Karmelo Crippen.
Nancy leaves to cherish her loving memories with her children, Renee Crippen, Alvin Crippen, Anthony (Tamara) Crippen, Angel Crippen, Oliver (Danette) Crippen, OJ (Tykisha) Matthews, and Phillip (Cherita) Matthews; grandchildren, Rynell Crippen, Evren Crippen, Dejuan Hickman, Divontriq Crippen, Tanaka Crip-pen, Jalissa Custis, Janae Crippen, Chrystal Johnson, Beauti L'Cierra Peace, Shaquaisia Williams, Ramel Crippen, Zyashiah Matthews, RyNasiah Fisher, Jayden Matthews, Jayda Broadwater, Saniya Matthews, and Khamil Matthews; thirty-one great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary Crippen, Lizzie Richardson, and Delmas (Doris) Crippen; brother-in-law, Myron Matthews; special friends, Bertha Pryor, Terry Finney, Sheliah Siler, and Will Siler; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.