From Steve Floor

 

South Bend Tribune

April 30, 2003

 

REBECCA A. MATHEWS

May 12, 1930 - April 29, 2003

 

    REBECCA A. MATHEWS, 72, of Craig Road, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 6:03 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, in her residence after an extended illness.

    Mrs. Mathews was born on May 12, 1930, in Terre Haute, Ind., and resided in the South Bend area since 1968 coming from Tucson, Ariz.

    On December 29, 1950, in Terre Haute, as Rebecca A. SMITH, she married RAYMOND H. MATHEWS who preceded her in death on October 10, 2002.  She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, NICOLE M. MATHEWS in 1985; two sisters, ANNA MARGARET (Sis) SMITH and HELEN (Elva) POFF; and by four brothers, CARL, JAMES, DANIEL and EARL SMITH.

    Rebecca is survived by three daughters, PAMELA MATHEWS (DAVID) SMITH of Nashville, Tenn., PENNY G. MATHEWS and PAULA J. MATHEWS of South Bend; four sons, STEPHEN R. (VICTORIA) MATHEWS, STANLEY L. (PAMELA) MATHEWS, TIMOTHY B. (SHERRY) MATHEWS, all of South Bend, and RAYNDY W. (ROCHELLE) MATHEWS of Plymouth, Indiana; and a son-in-law, JAMES A. SPENCE, of Nashville, TN.

She is survived by 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren whom she loved and cherished.

    Rebecca was a homemaker and always placed her family first and was a very kind, warm person.  She will not only be missed by her loving family, she will be missed by all who knew her.

    Friends may call at Handley & Sons Funeral Home, South Bend, Indiana, where services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. BUD STEDMAN, pastor of Community Baptist Church, South Bend.  Burial will be at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.