Evangeline Matthews

Evangeline Matthews, age 78, departed this life on May 27, 2016.  She was also known as Vangie, Aunt BB or Aunt EV (to her family) and Eve (to her friends).

Evangeline was the oldest of eight children born to the late Percy Cato Quarles and Florence Smith Quarles on April 9, 1938.  She spent her first five years in South Boston, VA with her grandparents (Lewis and Annie Smith).  She used to pester her uncle, Ruffin Edward Smith, who was only eleven years older.  She followed him everywhere and called him Stusty Boy.

Evangeline attended DC Public Schools and graduated from Cardoza High School in June 1956.  She met and fell in love with David Matthews.  They were married on August 3, 1956.  She had 4 children but took care of her nieces and nephews as well.  People mistakenly thought she had 7 children because Letitia Deas, Cheryl and Rodney Hargraves frequently spent time in her care. Her love and smile were infectious.  Strangers often approached Evangeline and just started talking.

At the age of 30, Mom was introduced to Jesus by her sister-in-law, Estherlyn Matthews.  She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and served Him mightily for the rest of her life.  She was discipled by her aunt, Eloise Smith and her pastor’s wife, Evelyn Kester.

Evangeline worked as an advocate for children.  It began with the birth of her daughter Sheila in 1959.  Mom knew something was wrong and she couldn’t get anyone to diagnose the problem.  She insisted that Sheila be given a hearing test.  Her deafness was finally diagnosed at age 2.  Mom then began a crusade to find the best educational services for her daughter.  She learned about the Children’s Hearing and Speech Center on 11th Street, NW after visiting the clinic at Children’s Hospital.  The program was strictly oral. She then heard about Montgomery County’s program for children with hearing impairment.  Sign language was taught.  At the time, the program was only for elementary school students.  Mom led a parent group to establish a program at the junior high and high school levels for her daughter and her classmates.

Evangeline worked as a volunteer at Children’s Hearing and Speech Center and a Teacher Assistant at Hillcrest Children’s Center on 13th Street, NW, working with children with emotional disturbance.  She also worked as a volunteer reading tutor at Forest Grove Elementary School and Rock Creek Valley Elementary School in Montgomery County, Maryland.  She participated in Children’s Church at Evergreen Baptist Church and then served as a Deaconess.

Evangeline was a wonderful listener, prayer warrior and encourager.  She never judged, just listened and prayed.  It was the mission God gave her and she fulfilled it well. She had a special relationship with each of her children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Survivors: husband of 59 years, David Matthews, Sr.; sons, David Matthews, Jr. (Shelly) of Bowie, MD and Calvin Matthews (Melanie) of Laurel MD; daughters, Sheila Matthews of Laurel, MD and Sharon Matthews of Columbia, MD; seven grandchildren, Tiffany LaShawn Matthews, Jessica Roeshell Minton (Brian), David William Matthews, Calvin Matthews, Jr. (Katie), Lisa Nicole Matthews, Joy Alexandra Matthews and Jennifer Danielle Matthews; five great-grandchildren, Kaiya Evangeline Minton, Analyn Frederika Minton, Kianna Grace Matthews, Petra Rose Minton, and Sapir Ola Minton; two brothers, Robert Lee Quarles (Gerry) of Bowie, MD, Ralph Edward Quarles (Angie) of Wilson, NC; three sisters, Florine Ann Williams of Upper Marlboro, MD, Constance Ethel Demby of Silver Spring, MD, and Marian Louise Kinard of Washington, DC; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Evangeline was predeceased by her siblings Rosa Lee Quarles and Percy Lewis Quarles.