Dr. George Powers Matthews, age 89, died March 31, 2009 at his home in Rose Hill, surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Matthews was born July 21, 1919 to David Sloan and Susan Cora (Sudie) Johnson Matthews in Magnolia. He graduated from Magnolia High School, and entered Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, in 1936. He graduated in 1941 with a Certificate of Medicine, a member of the last class to graduate after five years with this type of degree prior to the establishment of Bowman Gray Medical School in Winston-Salem. Dr. Matthews received his medical degree in 1943 from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He interned at Grady Memorial Hospital until 1944, when he went in service and served as a captain in the Army Medical Corps in India til 1946. Returning afterward to Rose Hill, he practiced medicine for over 45 years from his office on Railroad Street.

Dr. Matthews delivered the first baby born at Duplin General Hospital, but is best remembered as being a true country doctor, serving his community and county with great dedication. He continued to make house calls up until late in his practice. Retiring in 1991, he enjoyed traveling, reading, spending time with his family, and liked encountering his former patients, all of whom remembered his kindness and patience. He was a member of Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church for 51 years, and served as a deacon and an elder.

He married Annie Catherine Barden of Rose Hill on June 12, 1948. Making their home together for 40 years in Rose Hill, they raised five children, George Powers Matthews, Jr., Catherine Barden Matthews Hoffmann, David Thomas Matthews, Laura Evelyn Matthews and John Allison Matthews. He was predeceased by his wife, Annie Catherine Matthews, his oldest son, George Powers Matthews, Jr., and his sister, Laura M. Starling.

On January 5, 1991 he married Rachel Strole Arnette from Chadbourn, who survives him, as well as his children, Catherine (Scott), David, Laura and John (Lezlie). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Katie Claire Hoffmann of Phoenix, AZ, and Francis (Frankie) George Steven Matthews, of Rose Hill; step-children, Gail (Mark) McCann, Charles (Paulette) Arnette, Helen (Larry) Waddell, and Glenn (Terri) Arnette, as well as step-grandchildren: Michele McCann, Christopher McCann, Nicole Shelly, Gretchen Baker, Courtney Waddell, Jamie Rooks, Evan Arnette and Brennan Arnette.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice, with these suggestions from the family: Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 129 E. Main Street, Rose Hill, NC 28458 or James Sprunt Community College Foundation (Jackie Johnson Scholarship) PO Box 398, Kenansville, NC 28349.

Funeral service will be 3:00 pm Friday, April 3, 2009 at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Brian Doyles officiating.

Burial will follow in Rockfish Church Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Mike Chambers, Garry Murphy, Bob carr, Billy Wilson, Brian Wilson and Bobby Ward.

The family will receive friends 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Wallace and other times at the Matthew's residence.

Condolences may be made to the Matthews family below.