Frances (Rainey) Lorraine Matthews, 97, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2022 at Marian Manor in Virginia Beach VA. She was born on March 17, 1925 to the late Harvey Allen Bear and Julia Frances Feller in Baltimore MD. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl W. Matthews, daughter, Gail M. Garner, a grandson, Michael A. Matthews Jr., brother Harvey Bear and sisters Margaret Wisomierski and Doris Cavallo.
Rainey was married to her late husband for almost 75 years, 27 years as a military wife and mother, raising her family of seven children in a loving and steadfast way every day of her life. She was a faithful servant of the Lord and a longtime member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church.
She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Strong and husband Roger of Berlin NJ, Linda Beisch and husband William of Virginia Beach VA, and Doris Locke and husband Joseph of Jacksonville FL; sons, Carl Matthews, Jr. and wife Gale of Selma NC, Michael Matthews and wife Mary of Virginia Beach VA, and Christopher Matthews and wife Marsha of Chesapeake VA; seventeen grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5033 Rouse Dr., Virginia Beach VA 23462. Funeral services will be conducted at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, 5343 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach VA 23462 at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
Our hearts overflow with gratitude to Mom whom formed and knitted each of us in her womb. All seven of us. What a blessing it is to belong to such a big and loving family. Let her rest in the knowledge for all she has done for our family and what she means to us. The gift of motherhood is a rich blessing and we thank you Lord for our mother’s 97 years and all the sacrifices she made out of love for us. We have so many memories too plentiful to count and we are thankful for our loved one’s life. We know that in life or death, “Loved one” belongs to you, Lord. Hold her now. Fill her with your loving and peaceful light, and let her feel safe and loved in yours hands.
Sharing in your loss. She was a beautiful person. She will be missed. May God. comfort you.
Pat & Roger:
So sorry for your loss… May she be seated at the feet of Our Lord and Savior.
So sorry for your loss may your memories give you comfort
She lived a life full of family love. Rest In Peace Mrs. Matthews.