Thelma Matthews

Thelma Matthews, age 95, of York, SC, passed away on October 22, 2025, at PruittHealth in Rock Hill, SC.
Thelma was born in Charlotte, NC, to Henry Cleveland Gurley and Annie Mae Howell Gurley. She was the youngest of eight children: Ruby Beatrice "Bea" Mullis, Jake Gurley, Essie Gurley, and Pansy Gurley Deviney, along with three siblings who passed at birth. All have preceded her in death.
In 1953, she met her late husband, Calvin Vernell Matthews. Together they welcomed their first daughter, Deborah, in 1954, and married in 1960. Their second daughter, Tammy, was born in 1964. Thelma was widowed in 1966. Around 1973, she met Gilbert Huneycutt, with whom she shared 20 wonderful years until his passing in 1993. After Gilbert's death, Thelma moved to Clover, SC, where she later met Robert Bailey. They spent about nine years together before his passing.
Thelma was one of a kind. She had a big heart and an even bigger opinion. She loved her family deeply and held firmly to her beliefs. She attended several churches throughout her life and followed the teachings of the King James Version of the Bible.She adored animals-sometimes more than people-and never turned away anyone or anything that was hungry. Thelma had a wild, fun-loving side and cherished dancing, music, and the company of others. Most of her best stories involved a man or a dance hall, and she told them with the sparkle of someone who had truly lived life to the fullest.
Thelma leaves behind a large and loving family to carry on her memory. She is survived by her daughter Tammy Kay (Andy); five grandchildren: Vonda Seymour, Keith Raby (Tiffany), Kristina Jenkins, Daisy Kay, and Dixie Kay; eleven great-grandchildren: Kelia Mendiola (Shelly), Tray Raby (Christina), Tawni Penland (Damon), Hannah Runyon (Jordan), Aniston Loncaric (Axel), Luke Nichols (Britley), Kolby Smith, Taylar McCaskill, Smitty Smith (Alice), Elijah Powell, and Clevelyn Jenkins; and eighteen great-great-grandchildren: Ryder, Skylar, Noah, Brantley, Kylie, Zylan, Braydon, Rayne, Hadley, Zaybriel, Kegan, Bryson, William, Delilah, Kashton, Cooper, Lana, and Elle. She also leaves behind her beloved fur baby, Cheddar Bob.
In addition to her parents, siblings, and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah M. Raby, and her grandson-in-law, Brian K. Jenkins.
In memory of Thelma, donations may be made to Friends of York County Animal Shelter (FYCAS) via Venmo (@FriendsofYCAS), PayPal (Treasurer@fycas.org), or by donating items directly to the York County Animal Shelter or through their Chewy and Amazon wish lists.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Bratton Funeral Home, 1455 Filbert Hwy, York, SC.. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM in the chapel, with Rev. Mike Faris officiating. Burial at Lakeview Memory Gardens, Filbert Hwy, York, SC.
Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.brattonfuneralhome.com.
Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC, is honored to serve the Matthews family during this time of loss.
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