Sewell R. Matthews, Sr

Sewell Ross Matthews, 90, died peacefully August 14, 2011 at Chesapeake Woods Center in Cambridge. He was born December 29, 1920 in Cambridge, MD to the late Robert Hutchin Matthews and Beulah Ellen Moore. He graduated from Cambridge High School and attended Western Kentucky College and Pierce Business College. Mr. Matthews served in the Pacific Theater of World War II with the Navy's 15th Seebees on Solomon Islands, Okinawa, New Caledonia, Espirito, Santo, and New Hebrides. He was honorably discharged as Boatswain Mate, First Class on Dec.13, 1947. He was a charter member of Choptank Post 7460 of the VFW and supported many veterans organizations. Mr. Matthews had a distinguished career as owner of Sewell Matthews Real Estate and Insurance for over 40 years where he was also a respected real estate appraiser. He was a charter member of the Dorchester Board of Realtors and the Certified Realtor Specialist. He was also a Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) and a Certified Real Estate Broker (CRB) while holding memberships in the National and Maryland Association of Realtors. He looked forward to going to work everyday and helping people. Mr. Matthews was a community leader serving numerous organizations such as President of the Trustees of Zion United Methodist Church where his family were long time members. Like his father, he was a past president of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce. He started the local seafood "Feastival" held each August in Cambridge. Mr. Matthews was a life member of the Cambridge Masonic Lodge # 66, A.F. & A. M. Boating and golf were activities he enjoyed. He was a 70 year member of the Cambridge Yacht Club where his father was one of the incorporators. He served on the Board of Governors and he and his wife staffed the award winning race committee for numerous years. Many years were spent supporting junior sailing often transporting multiple sailboats for his and other children to race at local regattas around the Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Matthews owned several sailboats over his lifetime named Gusto and docked them at CYC. After his retirement he became an avid golfer and held memberships in the Cambridge Country Club and the Inverrary Country Club, FL. He especially enjoyed playing with old friends and meeting new ones through the Senior Golf Association. He loved his family more than anything else. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia Handley Matthews, who was with him at his death and to whom his life was lovingly dedicated. They were married on December 6, 1947. Also surviving are a daughter, Mary Jo German and her husband, Bud of North Palm Beach, FL,; a son Sewell R. Matthews, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Cambridge, MD and a son, T.L. Matthews and his wife, Jane, of Lutherville, MD. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Jason Matthews and his wife, Karla of Gaithersburg, MD, and Caroline Matthews Hudson and her husband, John of Baltimore, MD and Jupiter, FL and Kenny Kreiser and his wife, Angela of Cambridge along with two great grandchildren, Ellie and Lola Kreiser. He is also survived by three nieces, Susan and Rob Holder and daughter Lauren of Mills River, NC and Valerie and Ray Goff and daughters Michaela and Linden of Oxford, England and Kathy and David Bambrick along with one nephew, Matt Matthews of Cambridge. Also surviving are special neighbor friends, Anne Flowers Bradford, Jane Flowers and Dean Flowers. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Donald E. Matthews, Richard M. Matthews and Robert H. Matthews, Jr. and a great granddaughter, Isabella Matthews. A memorial service will be held on Friday August 19, 2011 at 2 PM at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery Chapel with Rev. William Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sewell's memory to the Zion United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 612 Locust Street, Cambridge, MD or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.