Obituary of Virginia Matthews

Virginia Haralson Matthews, age 100, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2019 in the Crestview Healthcare Center. Virginia was born October 18, 1918 to T.B. and Clara Stewart Haralson in Haywood County. She married J.B. Matthews and they had two daughters: Dorothy Ann and Mary Jane.

Virginia along with her sister, Marie Haralson Mullen, became a licensed beautician and often helped her sister in her beauty shop in Bell Eagle. She is best known and often recognized by so many people as the lady who worked at Ben Franklin’s on the square. She left Ben Franklin’s in the late 1960’s after more than 35 years of service to care for her mother. She was not only a wife and mother, but also took care of her parents, her sister and her oldest daughter until their death. She was a member of Brownsville Baptist Church and loved her family which included her many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never met a stranger and was known to invite everyone she met whether she knew them or not to come visit her at her home. Virginia was very thankful, she never failed to say “Thank You” for anything anyone did for her and to tell them how much she loved and appreciated them. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.B. Matthews, her daughter; Dorothy Ann Matthews, her parents, T.B. and Clara Stewart Haralson, her sister, Marie Haralson Mullens, her brother, Walter Baird, Sr. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jane Call (Forrest) Brownsville, two grandsons, Nathan Call (Mattie), Kingsport, Lance Call (Jody) Corryton, a great grandson, Isaac Forrest Call, a great granddaughter, Clara Allison Call, nephew and caregiver, Timmy Baird and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Lea and Simmons Funeral Home on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Her Funeral Service will follow at 1:00 PM with Bro. Bob Connerley officiating. Her Pallbearers will be Nathan Call, Lance Call, Eddie Stewart, Tommy Call, David Call and Hunter Call. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to the American Heart Association: 12170 Business Center Dr., Memphis, TN 38134 or the charity of the donor’s choice.