Samuel (Sammy) Forbis Matthews (77) passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2013 at his residence in Hampstead, NC after battling cancer. Sam was born on December 13, 1935 at the residence of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ged F. Price, in Monroe, NC to the late Samuel Franklin and Billie Frank Price Matthews of Monroe. He graduated from Wingate Junior College (1960) and North Carolina State College School of Civil Engineering (1962) with a B.S.C.E.C. degree.
Sam is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Phyllis Ann Helms, the daughter of the late Roland H. and Mabel Worley Helms of Monroe. In addition, he is survived by his daughters, Pamela Anne Preddy, her husband, Jesse Gill, and their daughter, Tiffany Anne, of Oxford, NC and Karen LaRae Rodriguez, her husband, James Drew, and their daughters, Samantha Marie and Ashley Renee, of Matthews, NC. He is also survived by his siblings, Emily Katherine Goodman of Monroe and Billie Frank Matthews, of Peachland, NC.
Sam was an Air Force veteran serving in Germany with the USAF Intelligence Service 6911th Radio Group Mobile. He held various District Level Manager positions with Southern Bell, AT&T and BellSouth before retiring after 31 years. Sam retired from BellSouth in Asheville, NC in 1993. He and Phyllis built their retirement dream home on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway after living in various places in North Carolina - Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Monroe, Charlotte and Raleigh and in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Sam was an Eagle Scout with Palms and served as Scoutmaster for the White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh where he was awarded Scoutmaster of the Year in the Oconeechee Council. Sam was a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., USA in Charlotte and a member of the Blue Lodge in Mint Hill. He was a member of the Hampstead United Methodist Church and advisor for the Save Our Community organization in Hampstead.
Sam was a devoted father, grandfather and husband. He was dedicated to his family, church and the up-bringing from his mother, father and grandparents. He was very proud of his wife, family and home. He liked good jokes and the occasional discussion of politics.
A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 at the Monroe City Cemetery (Suncrest Cemetery) on Sunset Drive, Monroe.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Oxford Orphanage / Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, NC. Donations can be made directly to the Orphanage or through a local Masonic Lodge with a request to designate it to the Orphanage in memory of Samuel F. Matthews.
Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Bradley Creek Chapel, 315 Willow Woods Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409 910-794-7171

A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 at the Monroe City Cemetery (Suncrest Cemetery) on Sunset Drive, Monroe.