Charlsie Stewart Matthews

Charlsie was a kind, caring mother, wife and grandmother who loved the Lord and her family dearly. She was the ideal partner for her husband, singer Neal Matthews Jr. of the Jordanaires, whom she married on Valentine’s Day in 1957. Together they built a life around faith, family and friends.

After graduating from George Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt, Charlsie taught school in Nashville for 12 years. During that time, she completed her master’s degree at Greeley State Teachers College in Colorado. When their children came along, she lovingly ran the household during her husband’s long recording sessions and work travels. After her children were grown, she started a third career at Belmont University. She served as the Director of Career Services for 22 years, retiring in 2010 at age 80.

Charlsie had many friends and greatly enjoyed entertaining. She was a gifted and enthusiastic hostess who always set an immaculate table. She was an avid card player and hosted many card groups at her Brentwood home.

She was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and coordinated the traditional Thanksgiving Day church outreach breakfast. Later in her life, she attended Christ Presbyterian Church, where she was a faithful member of the Pilgrims in Progress Sunday School class.

She is survived by her daughter Lisa Matthews Doster (Rob), son Gregory Stewart Matthews, grandsons Matthew (Lindsey) Doster and Cole (Meg) Doster, and great-grandson Oliver Doster.

Preceded in death by her parents, Charles Neil Stewart and Minnie Day Stewart, and her beloved husband Neal Matthews Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Christ Presbyterian Church, 2323 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37215 or to Belmont University, Office of Development, 105 Fidelity Hall, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212 or Belmont.edu/give. Please indicate that your contribution is in memory of Charlsie Matthews.