Coley Matthews

Our beloved Mr. Coley Lee Matthews left us quietly and peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2015, to be with the Lord at age 89. He was born April 23, 1926 in Ozark, Alabama, the son of Mack and Inella (Crittenden) Matthews. He married the Love of his life, Marie Madgalene Flowers, May 9, 1949 and to this union 3 children were born; Eddie Lee “Butch”, Elnora and Debra Ann. Mr. Matthews attended St. Mark AME Church, graduated from D.A. Smith High School in Ozark, Alabama. Coming to Saginaw, Michigan in 1951, he joined Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where he served for a number of years as Chairman of Security, member of the Busy Bee Club, served as Treasurer for the State of Alabama for the Rally of the States. Mr. & Mrs. Matthews were crowned King & Queen of the State Rally in 1980 under the leadership of Rev. H.C. Huggins. Coley loved God and his church. He enjoyed reading from his diverse collection of books, especially the Bible. Gardening sharing his crops with the neighbors, caring for his roses and working in his yard were a labor of love. Coley was easy to talk to and was a father figure to the children in the neighborhood. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others and was known to be quite a “Gentleman”. Coley was a veteran of the United States Navy and was honorably discharged after serving in World War II. He retired from Malleable Iron Foundry GM and was a member of UAW Local 455. Mr. Coley Lee Matthews leaves to cherish his memory, loving wife of 66 years, Marie Matthews; daughter, Elnora (Joseph) Washington; 3 grandchildren, Cion Washington of Saginaw, MI, Robert and Andre’ Davis, both of Las Vegas, NV; god-children, Joseph and Diane Chaney, Houston (Elaine) Jackson, Keith Brown and Martha Lockhart; 4 sisters, Pearlie Johnson, Lottie Jones, Gracie Gane and Amelia McAllinster; god-grandchildren, Dwight, Kashara and Janice Rance, Letisha and Vernon Randle, Alisa and Demetrius Chaney; sister-in-law, Mamie Rowe of Clarington, PA; a host of nieces, nephews, special cousins and friends, Mrs. Tissurene Casey and family, Arthur Gissandanner and family, Odhalia Rance, Lois Shelby, Leonza Porter, Janis Porter, Eloise Powell and Lizzie Echols, Mildred Burton, Anna Williams, Grace Reeves and Dorothy Perkins. Mr. Matthews was preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Ann Davis; son, Eddie “Butch” Matthews; parents, Mack and Inella Matthews; father and mother-in-law, Alex and Jasie Bell Flowers; one brother and 4 brothers-in-law. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 535 Cathay Street. Pastor P. David Saunders, host pastor. Dr. Willie F. Casey will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Monday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Coley Matthews

April 23, 1926 - June 8, 2015