Bessie L. Matthews

Bessie Louise Matthews was born Bessie Louise Mooney in Boykin, AL on February 16, 1943 to Irma D. and Clinton Pettway and was raised by her maternal great-grandparents Needom and Lucy Mooney who preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Nelson and Catherine Pettway, step-father, Robert Pettway, siblings, Truman, Uralee, Dean and James Pettway, son-in law Derrick Jackson, step-son, Hubert Matthews, first husband Raymond Pettway. 

During her youth Bessie attended and was baptized at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Boykin, AL.  Bessie graduated from Boykin High School.  Bessie left behind her daughter with her great grandmother and went north to find work.  She lived in Bridgeport, CT for a while and then moved to Brooklyn, NY.

Bessie worked over 40 years as a Housekeeper and Child Care Provider.  Her first position was with the Yourman family.  She worked for several other families thereafter ending her career while working for Dr. Felice Perlman and her son Jacob who remained close friends of the family.

Bessie was baptized in 1976 as a Jehovah’s Witness after studying with Ilese Dixson.  Bessie enjoyed singing the kingdom melodies, spreading the good news of Jehovah’s kingdom, traveling and cooking. 

Bessie married Charles J. Matthews on June 21, 1977.  Sadly, Charles passed away on April 4, 2017 after 39 years of marriage to Bessie.  Bessie departed this world on June 10, 2018 at Brooklyn Hospital in Brooklyn, NY after dedicating her life to Jehovah for over 40 years.

Bessie leaves behind six sisters; Dorothy Pettway, Evelyn Butts, Vanda Pettway, Edith Brown, Geraldine Hayes, and Jerlean Hudson and one brother, Darius Pettway; seven brothers-in-laws; John Butts, Paul Brown, James Darby, Andrew Hudson, Jimmy, Albert and Melvin Matthews, and four sisters-in- law; Denise and Eloise Pettway and Gretchen and Sadarius Matthews; and loving and devoted cousins, Nelson and Lois Birchmore, on her late husband’s side of the family; three aunts; Parazetta, Rachel (Thornton), and Barette Pettway; two uncles, Job and Kapell (Audrey) Pettway; her nine loving and devoted children; Mildred Broughton, Anthony, Raymond Jr., Anita, and Eleanor Pettway, Christina Jackson, Chandra and Charles Jerome  Matthews, Jr., and Sherri Graham; one daughter-in-law; Patricia Pettway, one son-in-law, Larry Graham; twenty-seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and especially her loving and devoted cousin Minnie P. Pettway.  Bessie will be truly missed by all.

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