John Calvin Matthews

CASTALIA - John Calvin Matthews, age 75, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Born in Nash County, NC on September 1, 1946, he was the son of the late Horace Greeley Matthews, Sr. and Alice Rhada Medlin Matthews. He was also preceded in death by his three brothers, James Alvin Matthews, Stephen Daniel Matthews, and Charles Thomas Matthews. John Matthews was a true southern gentleman. A well-respected member of the community with a huge heart who worked hard and valued his family above all else. "Dude," as he was fondly called by his friends, was a man of his word. He always had a smile on his face. His wit and wisdom were his trademark. John was a committed Husband, Daddy, Father-in-Law, Papa, and Friend. He married the love of his life, Doris, in 1965. As young Followers of Christ, they met and fell in love at the age of 14 at Church of God of Prophecy in Castalia. His two treasured daughters, Rita and Anna, married husbands, Kevin and Leland, that he truly loved as "sons." After his retirement, John took a hand in raising his beloved grandchildren. Of all the titles that John was known by, "Papa," was the one he was most proud of. He spent every day with his grandchildren. He was their constant companion, playmate, and confidant. Throughout John's 46 year long career, he was responsible for changing the face of forestry and tree planting across NC. As a third-generation forester, he was a conservationist and true steward of the land and of the people. Over his career, John was responsible for reforesting hundreds of millions of trees on harvested lands. John was a teacher, mentor, role model and friend to the next generation of foresters. John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris Jones Matthews of Castalia; his two daughters, Rita Matthews Vaughan and her husband, Kevin, and Anna Matthews Joyner and her husband, Leland, both of Castalia; his grandchildren, Allison Vaughan, Matthew Joyner, Meredith Vaughan, and Lindsey-Grace Joyner; his great-grandson, Owen Vaughan; his two brothers, Horace Greeley "H.G." Matthews, Jr. and Everette Lindsey Matthews; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service to celebrate John's life will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Carlyle Hall, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow the service at Charles D. Matthews Family Cemetery, Race Track Road, Castalia, NC 27816. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and at other times at the home. Flowers will be appreciated, or memorials may be made in John's memory to the Castalia Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 212, Castalia, NC 27816. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Past Services: Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Sunday 8/14, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and at other times at the home. Service Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Monday 8/15, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm A Funeral Service to celebrate John's life will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Carlyle Hall, Jr. officiating. Cemetery Charles D. Matthews Family Cemetery Race Track Road Castalia, NC 27816 Monday 8/15, 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Burial will follow the service at Charles D. Matthews Family Cemetery, Race Track Road, Castalia, NC 27816.