Sylvia Diane Matthews, 81, of Wade, passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, following complications from a sudden fall. Sylvia had courageously battled liver disease for the past 24 years.
She was the youngest of two daughters, born on January 19, 1944, to the late Joseph Erskin Jackson and Eula Reeves Jackson.
Sylvia was a devoted Christian woman who faithfully served the Lord. She was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church, where she remained active as long as her health permitted. She especially loved working with the babies in the church nursery, a ministry that brought her great joy.
On September 17, 1961, Sylvia married the love of her life, Azery Gerald Matthews. Together they shared 64 years of marriage. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, sister, aunt, “Mema,” and friend. Sylvia made it a priority to attend every event her daughters were involved in, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life.
Sylvia was a very talented woman who enjoyed sewing and other crafts. She was well known for making her children’s clothes and sewing beautiful draperies. In earlier years, she and her husband, Gerald, owned and operated The Insider, a decorating shoppe in Clinton. For many years she was a manicurist at Rita’s Round Robin and Country Shears in Eastover.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Temple Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Old Bluff Cemetery.
Sylvia is survived by her husband of 64 years, Gerald Matthews; daughters, Geran Matthews, Kelli Weeks and husband John, and Deanna Jo “Dee Dee” Boarts and husband Mike; sister, Maxine McLaurin; grandchildren, Dr. Brittany Ackerman and husband Wesley, Matthew Boarts and wife Laura, and Kinsey Altman and husband Blake; and great-grandchildren, Asher, Ace, Saylor, Atlas, Marin, Jonah, Isla, and Evie.
Memorials may be made to the UNC Liver Clinic. A link has been requested from the Clinic and will be provided here when received.
Funeral services are entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com