Barbara G. Matthews

Barbara Greene Matthews, age 81, died peacefully at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, NC on June 5, 2014. She was born at home in Winston-Salem to Grover Cleveland and Vera Corns Greene on March 30, 1933. Barbara was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Jerry Wayne Greene.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Hothorn of Brentwood, TN (Colt), Michele Poe of Mocksville, NC (Michael), and Kim Mickey of Winston-Salem, NC; her sister Peggy Wright; her brother Michael Greene (CJ); her grandchildren Zach Hothorn, Levi Poe, Chase Mickey and Brenna Mickey.

Barbara attended Mineral Springs High School and resided in the Winston-Salem area throughout her life.

She began her lifelong commitment of herself and her musical talents to her church beginning in 1951 at The East 21st Baptist Church by becoming their pianist when she was only 18 years old. Barbara continued her joyful role with music in the church when it relocated to Motor Road as Crestwood Baptist Church. Barbara’s commitment to her church and her church family never ended - even through the last few months of her life – she was still playing the organ for her church family with her hands and her heart 63 years later.

Barbara was described as “one of Pastoral Care’s finest” by her colleagues when she retired in 2008, after 33 years as receptionist and communications coordinator in the Pastoral Care Department at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Pastoral Care was a place of joy, happiness and fulfillment for Barbara. She never wavered in her personal ministry of caring for everyone she worked with and encountered in her position there.

Barbara will be lovingly remembered for her laughter and her steadfast spirit of giving to others through her words and music.

A memorial service will be held at Vogler & Sons Funeral Home, 2951 Reynolda Road, on Saturday, June 14 at two o’clock p.m. The family will receive visitors from 12 o’clock noon prior to the service that will be lead by David B. Wood. Interment at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3771 Yadkinville Road, will take place immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Crestwood Baptist Church, 530 Motor Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27105.

Please leave condolences at www.frankvoglerandsons.com