Sylvia Virginia Matthews

         Sylvia Currin Matthews, age 94, passed away peacefully on November 25th, 2023. A long-time resident of both Granville and Perquimans counties in North Carolina, she was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend to many. She was born in July of 1929 to Bodie Marsh and Lodema Adcock Currin and was raised on a tobacco farm on Roxboro Rd. in Granville Co. where she learned the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, and determination which would serve her well both personally and in her professional career. After graduating high school, she attended Meredith College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in science studies in 1951. Her teaching career began in Johnston County, NC where she taught 9th grade science. She relocated to Elizabeth City, NC in 1953 to begin work at VEPCO (Virginia Electric & Power Co.) and the Rural Electrification Association as an Electrification Extension Agent. By that time, almost all homes in rural areas were outfitted with electrical lighting but many still lacked the convenience of electrical appliances which she demonstrated in a “live” kitchen in front of an audience which thoroughly enjoyed sampling her recipes. She met the love of her life and husband of 56 years, Moody, on a blind date. They were married in 1955, and made their home in the quaint eastern North Carolina town of Hertford. While raising a family, she continued her teaching career at Camden County High School and Northeastern High School where she taught home economics as well as teaching nursing nutrition at the College of the Albemarle. She returned to graduate studies and received her Master of Science degree from East Carolina University in 1981, obtained her Registered Dietician certification, and was the director of the seven county Albemarle region Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutritional program. In 1986, she and Moody decided to return to her hometown roots in Granville Co. where they restored an older home in the historic district in downtown Oxford. She continued her professional career in osteoporosis research at Duke University followed by consulting work in elderly nutrition for nursing homes throughout central North Carolina. She was a skilled seamstress, making many of her own clothes and an avid gardener, loving her flowers and homegrown vegetables which she shared with friends and neighbors. She thoroughly enjoyed decorating, cooking, and entertaining friends and family in their Oxford home. She was an avid reader, enjoyed her book club, attended adult continuing education classes at the local community college, and loved to write short stories on topics she found of interest. She was a member of the Granville County Historical Society, Granville Gardeners Club, Meredith Alumni Association, and the North Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Sylvia was an active member of the Oxford Baptist Church and former member of the 1st United Methodist Church in Hertford, NC.

        Sylvia is predeceased by her husband of 56 years, J. Moody Matthews, Jr., and a son, Robert Whitman Matthews; three brothers, Royal Taylor “Bill” Currin, Lynwood “Buck” Currin, and Dr. Shirley “Tom” Currin.

          Sylvia is survived by her two sons, John Moody Matthews III (Jay) and wife Rita of Chesapeake, VA, and Matt Currin Matthews of Virginia Beach, VA; a granddaughter Alexa Leahey (Bryan) of Camden, DE, and a number of nieces and nephews too numerous to name.

           The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her caretakers; Dale Stainback, Roberta Hobbs, Anna Davis, Sherry Brooks, Pene Short, and Brenda Jordan who provided her with loving comfort and care.

           The family will receive friends at Gentry-Newell & Vaughn Funeral Home in Oxford on November 29th from 5pm until 7pm. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00am on November 30th at Oxford Baptist Church by Dr. Brett Pardue. Burial will follow in Hester Baptist Church cemetery.

           In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Restoration Project of Oxford Baptist Church, PO Box 398, Oxford, NC 27565.

Gentry-Newell & Vaughn Funeral Home is assisting the Matthews family. For online condolences, go to www.gnvfuneralhome.com and select obituaries.