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1918 - 2009
 Estivaun Matthews, 90, Gallipolis, passed away Thursday, February 26, 2009, at Holzer Assisted Living, Gallipolis. She was born August 5, 1918, daughter of the late John and Daisy Frederick Hutchinson. She married Billy Blaine Matthews, August 25, 1940, at Russell, Kentucky, and he preceded her in death on July 4, 2001.
She was a graduate of Vinton High School and then received a B.S. Degree in Education from Rio Grande College and attended Ohio University, Miami University, and Capital University. Education meant a lot to Estivaun and she wanted to be a teacher all of her life. She continued to teach for 32 years as a public school teacher and a Reading Specialist at Rio Grande College for four years..
Estivaun attended the First Baptist Church, Gallipolis, where she served as a teacher for 31 years and was a member of the choir for 30 years. She was a member of the following organizations: French Colony Chapter DAR, where she served as Vice Regent and Regent; Huntington Grange; Eastern Star; First Families, Gallia County; First Families, Ohio; Waldschmidt House 100 Club; Civil War Families of Gallia County and Ohio; Life Member of the Gallia County Historical Society, where she served as President for three years and Co-chaired a committee to honor veterans, displaying their pictures in the Gallia County Historical Society; Life Member of Ohio Retired Teachers; Life Member of Gallia County Retired Teachers, where she served as Secretary; Life Member of the DAR Hobby Club, where she served as President; Life Member of OSDAR Officers Club; and Builders and Settlers of Gallia County.
She was an avid volunteer and enjoyed serving as: President of Washington PTA; Gallipolis Recreation Board, Secretary, 13 years; Ohio Valley Christian School Governing Board, 9 years; GAHS Band Boosters, President; Gallipolis Education Association, President; OSDAR State School Chairman, 3 years; OSDAR State Scholarship, Chairman, 3 years; OSDAR Waldschmidt Trustee, 6 years; Kate Duncan DAR School, Alabama, Trustee, 3 years; Tamassee DAR School, South Carolina, Advisory Board, 6 years; Gallipolis City School Board Issue, Co-Chairman, Bond Issue, 1957 and Tri-Chairman, Bond Issue, 1997; 1995 World Special Olympics World Games, Connecticut, 1995; Atwood Club, President, 2 years; Candidate for Maestro for a Moment, 2002; Lambert Lands Preservation Society, Co-Chairman; Tri-author of One Room Schools in Gallia County, The Cradle Years .
Estivaun received a National Award at the NSDAR Continental Congress on April, 1990, in Washington D.C. for her project, A Mile of Pennies for our Schools. She also received an award for Promoting Black History during Black History Month Feb. 1998; and she was the Gallia County Historical Society Person of the Year , 2004.
She is survived by:
Two Sons:
John Sam Matthews,
Jack Beep (Cheryl) Matthews,
Grandchildren:
Michael (Becky) Matthews
Meghan Matthews
Jeremy (Marcia) Matthews
Erinn Matthews
Jill Matthews
Michael (Jenny) Pleiman
Alan Pleiman
Two Great-Grandchildren:
Andrew Michael Matthews
Quinn Ayers Matthews
One Nephew:
Clyde (Rosemary) Evans, Rio Grande, OH
Four Nieces:
Marilyn Long, Cincinnati, OH
Connie Long Matre, Conroe, TX
Pennie Long Diveley, Dallas, TX
Mary Evans Evans, Granville, OH
Brother-in-Law:
Dan Evans, Vinton, OH
She was preceded by:
Four Sisters and One Brother:
Reva Hutchinson Evans
Ruth Hutchinson Long Evans
John Benjamin Hutchinson
Ruby Hutchinson McGhee
Dorothy Hutchinson
Two Nephews:
Bill Long
Melville Chamberlain
Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 2, 2009, at First Baptist Church, 1100 4th Ave., Gallipolis, OH, with Pastor Alvis Pollard and Rev. John Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Vinton Memorial Park, Vinton, OH. Friends may call at McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, 420 First Ave., Gallipolis, Sunday, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Gallia County Historical Society, 412 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631 or Ohio Valley Christian School, 1100 4th Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631. Condolences can be emailed to www.timeformemory.com/mm. |
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There are currently 17 condolences.
Terri Short DVM
vontrohs@yahoo.com
Tuesday March 3, 2009 at
10:51 PM
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Mrs. Matthews was my second grade teacher and I considered her one of the greatest influences on my path of life. I am positive that there are many, many others who were refocused on what life is really about at that critical early age. God Bless you Mrs. Matthews you are a most faithful servent reaping the eternal rewards of all your selfless efforts!
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Gloria Keesee Ryan
walkmail2000-life@yahoo.com
Tuesday March 3, 2009 at
5:13 PM
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Estivaun was a true lady, in every sense of the word. I consider it an honor to have known her. She will be sorely missed by not only her family, but her many friends and the community. I will miss her.
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Mary Lee Davis Marchi
Monday March 2, 2009 at
8:43 PM
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Beep & Sam
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Your Mom touched so many lives over the years. She certainly touched my life. I am working at the Historical Society because of Estivaun. In 1998 when they needed a Director, Estivaun told me that I was to take the job. I said "no", she said "YES, and if you don't I will come and sit on your porch everyday until you do". I learned something about her that day. YOU NEVER TELL ESTIVAUN NO. I told her I would do it for 3 months until she got someone else to take the job. Everytime I was ready to quit she would tell me "NO, YOU WILL STAY HERE". As always, I did what she told me to do. Reminded me of when she was my teacher many years ago. She was my teacher from grade school until I turned 65, always teaching me life lessons. Your Mom always made everyone feel they were the most important person in the world and there was no limit as to what you could accomplish in this life. We spent many happy hours together over the years, I will miss her.
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Roger L. Hood
rlhood@suddenlink.net
Monday March 2, 2009 at
6:08 PM
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Jack & Sam: Thank you for including me in the funeral service for your Mother. I thought alot of her and it was certainly a priviledge to be a part of the memorial honoring her life and testimony. Sincerely, Roger
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Rita, Evan, and Sidney Keslar
Monday March 2, 2009 at
6:34 AM
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Meg and Erinn,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Your grandmother was quite a special lady and I know you have many memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. May God provide the comfort you will need during this difficult time.
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Fred Williams
Sunday March 1, 2009 at
3:30 PM
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Dear Sam, Beep, and Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you in the homegoing to Jesus of your Mom and loved one, Estivaun. I was privileged to know her for many years and she was a faithful servant of the Lord throughout.
God bless,
fred
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Doug(Thuumper) & Kris Johnson
Sunday March 1, 2009 at
12:25 PM
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To Beep, Sam, and the entire Matthews family,
There comes a time when we must say godd-bye but we shall never forget. As she was to me, Mrs. Matthews, had the greatest influence on my life as my second grade teacher. She never forgot about me and remained a friend of my family. I hope all of you are celebrating a beloved and wonderful person who will never be forgotten. Bless all of you in your time of need.
Thumper & Kris Johnson
Orange County, Calif
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Debbie (Persinger) Goodland
Sunday March 1, 2009 at
12:14 AM
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My thoughts and prayers are with the family and many loved ones. Mrs. Matthews was my first grade teacher at Green School in the 60's. I still have the animal book she gave me. It will always be special to me. I'm a school nurse in Phoenix and know what an influence a great teacher can have on many lives. I see it every day. Mrs. Matthews will have a special place in our hearts forever.
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Marjorie Gilliam Wood
Saturday February 28, 2009 at
10:13 PM
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Sam, Beep and families, I've known Estivaun for many years and will never forget all the wonderful times we spent at the Historical Society and at DAR. She loved DAR, she was very proud of her heritage. I will never forget all the pennies that I saved for her project, "A Mile of Pennies" in support of the DAR schools. Every time I see a penny, I think of her and smile. My thoughts and prayers will be with both of you and your families.
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Bill & Harriet Qualls
Saturday February 28, 2009 at
2:48 PM
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To the family of Miss Estivaun: She was a very special lady who loved the Lord very much and she will be missed very very much.
You have our love and prayers. God
bless you and keep you safe.
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Sue Cox Francis
Saturday February 28, 2009 at
9:45 AM
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Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Mrs. Matthews was a wonderful person. She was always so wonderful to my bother Phil who loved and appreciated her very much. They were neighbors on Sunset. I took Phil to visit her several times. Those visits will remain with us always.
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Cheryl Enyart
Saturday February 28, 2009 at
1:24 AM
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Sam and Beep and families, I knew your mother a very long time. I really got to know her when I worked as a volunteer at the Historical Society. We had lots of great times with her and with Frank, both of them are now gone from our midst. I will cherish the time that she spent on earth, doing good wherever she could. I will cherish her friendship and mentoring.
I will miss her guidance and wisdom. Thanks for letting us borrow her for the time we could. My love and prayers go out to all of you.
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Charlie Hazlett
charlie@hazlett.net
Friday February 27, 2009 at
8:21 PM
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I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Estivaun. I will always cherish my memories of her teaching our Sunday School class when I was of high school age.
My deepest sympathy to Sam and Beep.
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Eleanor J Batt
Friday February 27, 2009 at
6:33 PM
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I stopped to see Estivaun while at Tom's but I couldn't awaken her with gentle nudging. During the summer we had a wonderful visit reminiscing about 2nd grade. Eleanor {Treleaven} Batt
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Matthew Dean
matthewrdean@roadrunner.com
Friday February 27, 2009 at
3:39 PM
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I want to say that I will miss her so much. I loved her and remember when she taught me how to dance when we were at the Children's home to see Grandma she taught me the Monkey. I will Miss her so much.
With all my love and Condolences to the Matthews Family
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Brenda Pollard
Friday February 27, 2009 at
3:31 PM
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Dear Sam and Jack and family:
My deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your mother and our friend, Estivaun. I have some wonderful memories of she and your dad on fishing trips with Alvis and I when our children were young.
I just lost my mom in November so I understand and I grieve with you.
I will be praying for you especially during the calling hours and funeral.
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Tom & Marlene Davis
Friday February 27, 2009 at
12:11 PM
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To the Family,
Estivaun was a very special lady who touched many lives in this area. You could depend on Estivaun to see that it was done and done right. She was one that always was there to watch after others and now she will still be watching over us from Heaven with with all her family. She will be missed by all that knew her. We will all cherish the memories that we shared with her......
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