Mr. Joseph Edmondson Matthews

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association. Joseph Edmondson Matthews, son of the late Joseph and Gladys Matthews was born on July 4, 1930 on a ship between Spain and Jamacia, WI. Joseph claimed Jamacia WI as his home, where he was raised in the Catholic faith. He was educated in Jamacia, WI, where he graduated with a mechanical engineering degree. As a young man, Joseph left Jamicia, WI and relocated to Bronx, New York to seek his fortune. While in New York, Joseph met, fell in love, and married Zenora L. Matthews. They were blessed to raise four beautiful children. He was a devoted husband, father, loving grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Joseph was a great man. He loved his family with ALL his heart and if you were lucky to get close to him, you became “one of the family” as he likes to say. In 1989, Joseph retired from Con Edison Power Company, Bronx, New York, where he worked as an A-One Mechanic for 25 years of service. In 1989, Joseph decided to relocate to Roanoke Rapids to reunite with his wife’s family and enjoy the “good life” as he would say. Heaven gained an angel on Sunday, August 9th, at 1:20pm, as Joseph departed this earthly life at his home in Winterville, NC with his loving daughter, and a family friend at his bedside. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Zenora L. Matthews; children, Francis Marie Matthews, Hopeton Edmondson Matthews, and Dwayne Vincent Matthews and one grandson, Mark Anthony Matthews. Joseph was one of 17 siblings, and they all preceded him. Those remaining to cherish the precious memory of his life and love are his daughter, Janet Matthews of the home; three grandchildren, Melantha Matthews of Bronx, New York, Brandon Matthews of Upstate New York, Brittany Matthews of Bronx, New York; two beautiful great-granddaughters, princess Sacia Marie Matthews, Courtney Barrett (Craig); two handsome great-great-grandsons, princes Huey Barrett and Omar Barrett; one great-great granddaughter, princess Hazel Barrrett; one sister, Veronica Matthews and a host of nieces and nephews, and friends; special recognition to the following “one of the family,” Natalie Bainbridge of Bronx, NY, Crista Dally of Greenville, NC, Linda Bond of Greenville, NC, and Rita Riddick of Greenville, NC. These are just a few of the many people that Joseph loved and adored with all his heart and he called them family.

Mr. Joseph Edmondson Matthews

July 4, 1930 - August 9, 2026