Lois J.S. Matthews

LOIS J. MATTHEWS, daughter of the late Walter and Hallie Smith, was born on June 25, 1926 in Greensboro, North Carolina. She departed this life on February 2, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland after a lengthy illness. She received her early education in Greensboro, North Carolina in the Greensboro Public School System. She then later moved to Washington, DC for a brief moment and then moved to Baltimore, Maryland to begin a career in teaching and attended the Coppin State College where she obtained her highest level of education her Master's Degree. She graduated on May 26, 1974 with her Master's of Education degree in Special Education. After graduating from college she went on to teach in the Baltimore City Public School System. During her tenure in the school system she taught at Dunbar Middle School and then later transitioned to Calverton Junior High School where she taught Social Studies. She completed her tenure with the school system on May 16, 1985 and retired after completing 30 years of service. After she retired she continued to demonstrate her leadership and true spirit in the community that she lived in through hard work. She held the position of Community President within her community under the Bridgeview Improvement Neighborhood Association. Lois believed that she was called to go above and beyond the call of duty by serving those in her community and was very community-minded, so much so that she obtained various awards throughout the years from various organizations for her excellence in community work. Such awards came from the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, the Western Police District for excellence in Police-Community Relations, her Calverton School Family, and last but not least her own Neighborhood Association, Her hard work did not go unnoticed. She believed in keeping the preservation of a stable community and therefore worked hard to ensure that the issues that her community were faced with didn't go unresolved. Not only was heavily involved with involved with her own community but she created an atmosphere through her gifts of time and commitment to caring for others. She later went on to volunteer at Liberty Medical Center where she provided a helping hand with patient services such as helping to feed them or just sitting with them. Lois enjoyed various hobbies and anyone that knew Lois could tell you that when summer came you would catch her working in her yard planting flowers. She enjoyed beautifying her yard and community garden with various flowers. She also enjoyed writing, reading books as well as magazines. Lois did not have any children of her own, but had a love for children so much so that anytime she could provide guidance and direction she would. Being around children would always put a smile on her face. You could always find her mentoring some young person, and she worked closely with the young people in her community. To include in her mentoring she also mentored at Morgan State University under the School of Education and Urban Studies R.A.I.S.E. Program in June 1991. Not only was Lois devoted to her community but she was also a devoted Christian. She accepted Christ at an early age and before battling with her illness she attended the Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion church in Baltimore, Maryland. Lois was well known and made various friendships and relationships over the years, and will be missed by anyone that knew her. Lois leaves to mourn: a devoted and loving god-daughter and caregiver, Alice J. White and her daughter, Alicia White; two other god-daughters, Cynthia Branch and Gelora Champion; three cousins, Marlene Minor, Yvonne Murray, Doris Saxton; and a very close best friend, Shirley Singletary; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Lois J.S. Matthews

June 25, 1926 - February 2, 2015