Adelaide King Matthews

Obituary For Adelaide King Matthews

Forrest Adelaide King Matthews, was born April 17, 1929 in Martinsville, Virginia to the late Thomas and Victoria Flood King. On October 28, 2018 she was called to her Father’s House.

Adelaide, as she was affectionately known by her family and friends, was educated in Martinsville, Virginia at the Martinsville Training School, the Piedmont Institute, and later Henry County Training School. As a teenager, Adelaide was very active and outgoing in her community. She was very proud to be in the Drum and Bugle Corps where she played the Bugle. She later became a cheerleader for the local high school (HCTS) earning a letter for her participation. In high school she appeared in several plays on the stage at the Rex Theatre. After high school, Adelaide attended Shaw University for two years desiring to become a business major. She also attended Winston-Salem Business School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

As she continued to be a force in the community, Adelaide became a contestant for Miss Furniture Bowl and along with two other contestants, they were able to participate in the Howard University Homecoming Parade.

Professionally, she worked as the administrative assistant for Dr. Commander at St. Mary's Hospital. Later, Adelaide was promoted to business manager at The Community Hospital. She also worked in the medical office of Dr. Baldwin.

She met and married her soulmate Dr. Cornelius F. Matthews in 1959 where their wedding day was the talk of the town. In 1961, Adelaide and Cornelius welcomed a son, Cornelius “Corky”, Jr. and in 1965 a daughter Carol Virginia.

With the closing of Community Hospital, Adelaide joined her husband in his office serving as a business manager. She joined Grace Presbyterian Church and was a devoted Christian worker and Deaconess. She was one of the founders of the newsletter where she created and wrote the column Keeping in Touch and managed the library at the church.

Adelaide was an active deaconess and usher until she relocated to Maryland where she resided with her daughter for several years. Requiring more care, she became a resident of Ellicott City Rehabilitation Center in Ellicott City, Maryland. There she participated in social activities, went on shopping trips, went out to various restaurants with family and friends and worshipped in church services.

Adelaide was proceeded in death by her husband Cornelius; her son Corky; and siblings Sarah, Roy and Divas. Adelaide has joined them in the House of the Lord where they will have a great reunion.

Adelaide’s memories will be cherished in the hearts of her loved ones: daughter Carol Virginia and her husband Ronald DeWitt; granddaughters Courtnee Matthews and Veronica DeWitt; grandson Dante Matthews; sisters Roberta Price and Marilyn “Ducie” Williams as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday,November 3, 2018 at noon at Grace Presbyterian Church, Martinsville, Va. Elder Kelvin Perry, Eulogist. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service.

Interment will be held in Carver Memorial Gardens, Martinsville, VA.