Mr. Hershel E. Matthews

Hershel E. Matthews (Gene), 95 years old passed away on Wednesday morning February 26, 2025 in Chesapeake, Virginia. Gene was born in Hopewell, VA. On March 10, 1929 to the late Hershell and Mary Alice Matthews. He is predeceased by his wife Margaret (Mag) F. Raines Matthews who Gene was married to for 76 years, and 4 siblings, Paul (Pee Wee), Alice (Turkey), Jesse (Norman and Raymond, all of Norfolk, Virginia. Gene is survived by his children Tim Matthews, Brenda (Teenie) Matthews, Jan Browne and her husband Maurice, and Marci (Gigi) Vanhorn and her husband Steve; three grandchildren Ronnie Keeter, Angie Rigdon, and Sherry Baker along and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Throughout his life Gene had different careers including 39 years at Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, worked in several drive in movie locations, and was also a painter part time. He was known for passions related to hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors. Gene's neighbors were his other passion in life because he often said “neighbors like I have are such a blessing and neighborhoods like mine are pretty much gone in this country where neighbors care and lookout for other neighbors.”

Visitation is on Wednesday March 5th, 2025, 5pm to 7pm.

A memorial service will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home at 2pm on Thursday March 6, 2025 with a graveside service to follow at Woodlawn memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the American Heart Association. The family would like to sincerely thank Home Instead and Home Health for the care they provided Gene in these past few months. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com.