My life, as Rodney Matthews, began on September 24, 1951. I was born to

the best parents that God could give anyone, Edith Caldwell Matthews (who

proceeded me in death) and Roy Matthews. They were God fearing parents

who put the fear of God in me. I accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and

attended the Church of Living God, where I was on the Junior Choir. Every

Sunday, I remember singing, "At the Cross Where I First Saw the Light." We

sang this hymn almost every Sunday.

The best time of my childhood was spending time with my brother, grandpar-

ents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. There were various things to do in the

summer, especially in my neighborhood. My relatives and I would spend time

in the woods just being curious of what we could find. We enjoyed just

exploring the woods while eating huckleberries', blackberries, and chinkapins

(chestnut family).

I attended Anne Arundel County Public Schools. During my elementary

years, I attended Freetown School where I also had teachers who put fear in

me. I got many spankings to correct me and it shaped me to be the man I

became today. Integration of schools started during my Middle School days.

Some days we had to fight, just to make it through the day. Look how far God

has brought us! In high school, I loved to play football, and I enjoyed that

sport throughout my lifetime. "How about those Ravens!"

I was taught, as a young man, to love the Lord and to help others. I taught my

children this lesson and hopefully my grandchildren. Helping my father was

one ofthe things that gave me joy. I know that God didn't put me on this earth

just for me. He put all of us on this earth to help someone else. It was a

pleasure to put a smile on the face of elderly mothers, when I gave them a

bouquet of flowers each Mother's Day. If you still have your parents it's a

blessing, so do what you can for them while they are still with you! I enjoyed

watching football on TV, especially the Baltimore Ravens. Watching West-

erns was also a joy for me because most of them taught you an important

moral. My love for dogs was extraordinary. My dogs Torie, Lex, Lady,

Mindy, Missy, and Duke brought me lots joy. They say, "A dog is a man's best

friend." I believe this is almost true. My favorite type of car was the Riviera.

My wife used to say, "You need to stop washing those cars, the paint is going

to come offl" Funny!

On July 11, 1981, I married Artricia Steward. God blessed us with 38 years of

marriage. We were blessed to raise three children. I leave to cherish the

memories of my life: my loving and caring wife, Artricia Matthews, daughter

Courtney, sons Cori, and Scott (Arista) Matthews and five grandchildren:

Michai, Jzmynne, and Myah Matthews, Joey and Brielle Steward, my devoted

father Roy Matthews, brother Erick (Delores) Matthews, nine Sister-In-Laws,

and 6 Brother-In-Laws. A host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins,

and Friends. Andrew Kane, a devoted friend, and Don Thomas, a devoted

cousin. Take the reign Don and help care for your Uncles and Aunts.