Como, NC – Emma Leigh Whitley Matthews, 90, died February 20, 2008 at her residence. Born January 1,1918 in Hertford County, NC, she was a daughter of the late Allen R. and Mable Whitley Drake Ferrell. Mrs. Matthews was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Thomas Lathan Matthews and two half-brothers, Andrew and Harry Drake.
She was a 1936 graduate of Newsoms High School and she worked at the A & P grocery in Franklin and the Whitley's Grocery in Newsoms. The majority of her adult life was spent as a homemaker for her loving family and caregiver for her paternal grandmother, uncle, and aunt at her farm in Como. Mrs. Matthews maintained an active involvement with community and church throughout her life and was a member of Barnes United Methodist Church in Newsoms. She was a member of the Women's Society of Christian Services at the old New Hope Methodist Church in Como.
Survivors include her daughter, Judith Matthews Hachey (Larry Lasson) of Como; two half-sisters, Jean D. Vinson of Franklin and Madge D. Fowler of Courtland; sister-in-law, Vivian Drake of Franklin; niece, Barbara V. Gray of Franklin; two nephews, Jimmy Drake of Franklin and Timmy Drake of Courtland; and caregiver, Aneita Deloatch.
A funeral will be conducted at 2 pm Monday at Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Darwin Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 8:30 pm at the funeral home and suggests memorials be made to University Home Health and Hospice, P. O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or Barnes United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Linda Drake, 25232 Drake Drive, Newsoms, Va. 23874, or Como Fire and EMS, Como, NC 27818. www.wrightfuneralhome.org