Shirley Mae Lightfoot Matthews answered her call home on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on January 4, 1946, the daughter of the late Gladys Lee Lightfoot Mason and her stepfather, the late Thomas R. Mason. She was united in marriage to Morris T. Matthews. Unto this union, they were blessed with 14 children. Upon the dissolution of their union, she dedicated her life to serving the Lord and nurturing her children.
At an early age, she gave her life to the Lord and was a faithful member of the Living Word Church of God in Toano. She was educated in the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. In addition to being a full-time mother, her last place of employment was Basketville of Williamsburg, from which she retired.
She is survived by her children, most from the Hampton Roads area, eight sons, Craig (Pamela), Graig, Michael (Geraldine), Morris A. (Armeshia), Timothy (Kimberly), Tracy (Dedra), Charles and Gary (Tonia) Matthews; six daughters, Vertanna Billups (Anthony), Veronica Matthews, Vern Pryor (Harold), of North Carolina, Verlene Judkins (Gregory), Vernitra Reed (Jerry) and Veronda Matthews. She was also proud to share her 38 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She also leaves a host of relatives, friends, and honorary family members to cherish her memories.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, February 29, 2016, at Bethel Restoration Center. Interment will follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park.
Family and friends will assemble at Christ Community Church, 9001 Richmond Road, Toano, by noon on Monday. The family received friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, February 28.
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