Shirley Matthews

Obituary For Shirley Matthews

Shirley Matthews

October 3, 1942- June 2, 2025

Obituary

On Monday morning, June 2, 2025, Shirley Temple Matthews’ soul was lifted from her broken body and taken to be with our Heavenly Father. She was 82 years old at the time of her passing. Though greatly missed by her loved ones, we all find joy in her well-deserved peace and wholeness.

Shirley was born October 3, 1942, in Big Cove, Alabama, to Joseph “Joe” Langhum and Kanellar “Nella” Langhum (King). The family relocated to Nashville when Shirley was 12. She attended public schools there, delivered her two sons — Dwight on June 21, 1959, and Samuel on April 29, 1963 — and eventually met and married Clarence A. Matthews Jr. on October 27, 1969. Soon after, the young family moved to Oceanside, California, where their daughter, Teri Lynn, was born on August 20, 1972.

After years of working factory jobs, Shirley and Clarence longed for something more. In the fall of 1979, they sold most of their material possessions, packed up the family and headed to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Clarence enrolled at Rhema Bible Training College. Although Shirley was not formally enrolled, she audited the required classes for ordination. They completed their studies in 1981 and returned to California.

While conducting their missionary work, the couple established All Nations Fellowship Church, where they continued to play leadership roles until 2005. Simultaneous to her church work, Shirley saw a tremendous need for childcare in the area and opened a daycare center. Unfortunately, Clarence suffered a number of health setbacks that required Shirley to become his full-time caregiver. As his condition worsened, they relocated back to Nashville in 2006 and eventually settled in Mount Juliet. After Clarence’s death in 2009, Shirley formally retired, but continued her ministry through counseling and spiritually guiding all who sought her insight. She became a Church Mother at Emmanuel Temple in 2024. Her favorite scripture was Isaiah 50:4.

She is preceded in death by her husband and daughter. Left to celebrate her homegoing are her two sons, Dwight and Samuel Langhum; seven grandchildren: Andunett, Jared, Nyshika, Autumn, Mandela, Indira, and Josiah; a beloved great granddaughter, Jocelyn; a loving daughter-in-law, Cheryl Fields; a host of nieces, nephews and friends; and her church family.Shirley T. Matthews 82 passed away June 2, 2025. Preceded in death by her husband Reverend Clarence A. Matthews Jr. and daughter Teri Lynn Smith. She is survived by her sons Dwight and Samuel Langhum along with a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Public Viewing 2-5 Friday, June 13, 2025 at Smith Brothers Funeral Home, 706 Monroe St. Nashville

Services to be held June 14, 11:00 at Emmanuel Temple, 119 Center Street, Old Hickory, TN

Interment, June 16, 2025 11am at Middle TN Veteran Cemetery