Como, N. C. – Thomas Lathan Matthews, 78, passed away May 28, 2007 at his residence. Born in Robersonville, he was a son of the late Lloyd Lathan and Corrie Leggett Matthews. After discharge from the Army, he worked for NC DOT helping his father tend Parkers Ferry. He then worked at St. Regis Paper until layoffs forced him to take work in Newsoms as a mechanic (skills he learned from working on the farm and in the Army). He then worked as a mechanic at St. Regis until they closed and worked at Grizzard Auto Parts in Franklin as a machinist until retirement. Thomas was a charter member of the Como Ruritan Club with 30 years perfect attendance, a member of Barnes United Methodist Church, and an avid Citizens Band base and radio operator, known as "Ready Power".
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 56 years, Emma Leigh Whitley Matthews; daughter, Judith M. Hachey and fiancé, Larry, of Como; two sisters, Rachel M. Conner and husband, Linwood, of Aulander, Janice L. Riddick and husband, Eddie, of Edenton, four brothers, Robert W. Matthews and wife, Minerva, Alfred R. Matthews and wife, Ola Ray, all of Aulander, C. Gene Matthews and wife, Nancy, of Newsoms, and Jesse V. Matthews and wife, Jean, of Como. Mr. Matthews was predeceased by a sister Magdalene Matthews.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 pm Thursday at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, Va., with the Rev. Malcolm Yaple officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 pm Wednesday at the funeral home and suggest memorials may be made to University Home Health and Hospice, P. O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1224, Franklin, Va. 23851.Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org