Patricia Anne Mathews

Patricia Anne Mathews, the wife of Ralston C. Mathews, died on April 1, 2023, at her home. She was born June 4, 1943, at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, DC.  She was the oldest daughter of William “Bub” Murray and Eleanor “Daughter” Murray.  Patricia worked for the Department of the Navy and various other federal government agencies in Washington, DC.  She was a faithful member of Galbraith AMEZ Church in Washington, DC.

Pat married her husband after a year of courtship.  As the family grew, Pat took on many tasks in addition to raising their children. She would take the children to school, cook, and work.  During the summer, she would work and pick up the babysitter while her husband was working.

After the couple retired, they planned and decided to move to South Carolina, the Wedgefield area, to spend their Golden Years.  Pat reunited with Bethel AME Church in Wedgefield, the area where she attended Bethel school in the first grade.  At Bethel AME Church, she continued her singing career as she did at Galbraith AMEZ Church in Washington, DC.  Pat loved to sing and was a member of the Gospel Choir, Inspirational Choir, and the L.D. Clark Singers.  She loved all music, spiritual and secular.

During their Golden Years, Pat and her husband traveled the United States from the shores of Key West, Florida to the falls of Niagara, New York, and from the ocean of Atlantic City, New Jersey to the roaring tides of Honolulu, Hawaii.  The couple also visited six foreign lands.

Pat loved to cook. Her fried chicken was of Michelin quality, but her specialty was her potato and pasta salads.  Whenever three or more gathered, they wanted Pat to prepare the pasta salad for the event.

Happy, smiling, and friendly were Pat’s trademarks.  She was a social butterfly.  A beautiful face and personality to go with it.  She never wanted to offend anyone, ever!  She just enjoyed life.  Her final words were “All is well”.

Mrs. Mathews was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eleanor Murray; her brother, Ivory Leonard Murray, and sister, Vivan Lorretta Murray.

Survivors include her husband, Ralston C. Mathews; sons, Ralston and Ritchie (Gina) Mathews; a daughter, Patrice Mathews; grandsons, Ritchie (Caryn), Ramsey, Ryon, and Rhyse.

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