Florence May Matthews

Florence May Matthews died Friday (March 6, 2009) at Colonial Manor in Danville. She was 94 and had lived all of her life in the Bismarck area. She was born May 26, 1914, on the family farm east of Bismarck, to George W. and Nellie McDonald French. She married John W. Matthews on Oct. 28, 1945 in Danville. He preceded her in death on Jan. 2, 1982. She graduated from Bismarck High School in 1931 and later worked in Danville for the Agricultural Adjustment Administration. Florence May and John farmed east of Bismarck for 36 years. She also cooked for the Bismarck Lions Club. Florence was a member of the Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church. Surviving are two sons, Gordon (Patricia) Matthews of Short Hills, N.J., and Mark (Sharon) Matthews of Waxhaw, N.C., a daughter Gail (Scott) Defenbaugh of Bismarck; seven grandchildren, Ellen and Thomas Matthews, Holly (Michael) Carey, Jeremy (Melissa) Matthews, John, (Tiffany) Matthews, Megan (Wesley) Schmitt, Matthew Defenbaugh; and four great-grandchildren, Travis and Joshua Carey, Ethan and MacKenzie Matthews. Besides her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by three brothers, Dole, Lowell and Gene, and by four sisters, Gustava, Florena, Oleeta and Bernice. She enjoyed her family, reading, travel, researching family history, playing bridge, and keeping up with current affairs. A Celebration of the Life of Florence May Matthews will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Pastor Ken Cox officiating, Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Gundy Cemetery following the service. Memorials may be made to Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.