"If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain."

Blessings come in many forms, but on August 9, 1939, the Lord blessed Joseph Mathews and Evelyn Jones Mathews Hadley with their new baby daughter, Geraldine Mathews. She was nurtured by them and their loving family in the Greenville, Florida community.

Sister Geraldine Mathews was preceded in death by both parents and her stepfather who raised Joseph’s children: Ed Hadley; and sisters: Louise Mathews Branom and Vera Mae Mays.

Sister Mathews had come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. Her Christian journey began early in her life with her acceptance of Christ as her Redeemer and being baptized in Honey Lake (community lake). Following her retirement and upon her relocation to Greenville, Florida, she became a member of Sanctuary of Praise COOLJC.

Having had an extensive educational experience which began with her graduation from Greenville Training School, Sister Mathews also attended FAMU where she majored in Home Economics (Consumer Science). She later obtained a Certified Nurse Assistance (CNA) certification.

During her employment years, she worked a variety of jobs. She was a Certified Nurse Assistant at Lyndon Lane Nursing Home in Louisville, Kentucky, a drapery designer for J.C. Penney, food server at Holiday Inn and Howard Johnson Hotels, and an entrepreneur of Wigs by Geri.

Sister Geraldine gave her time and talents to elevate others in communities wherever she resided. She was regarded as a class act because of her decorum; she taught proper etiquette in groups or by her example. Likewise, she held fashion shows, participated in parades, taught black women in the Greenwood area of Clearwater Beach, Florida community how to properly apply makeup, as well as other self-care tips.

Relaxing from her busy days gave Sister Mathews opportunities for writing and composing songs on her guitar. Among her many tunes and lyrics were “I’m a Leo in the Lion’s Den” and “Rap to Me, Jesus”. She was also a talented artist whose inspiration for using vibrant colors depicting spiritual stories were divinely revealed to her. Her outside enjoyment was using her green thumb to grow vegetables and flowers.

Sister Geraldine Mathews did not intend for her living to have been in vain. She did as much as she could to help all that she could and in whatever way that she could. Most of all, she wanted her servant leadership to be pleasing to God and to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, the Lord called His precious angel home to rest.

The life, love, and legacy of Sister Geraldine Mathews will reign forever in the hearts of all whose lives she impacted. Among those to cherish her loving memory are her sisters: Naomi Jenkins of Clearwater, FL, Rosa Johnson of Greenville, FL, Josephine Davis of Clearwater, FL, and Jeanette Fall of Louisville, KY, along with many other sorrowing relatives and loving friends.