Beverly Caroline Matthews

Beverly was born in Charleston, South Carolina March 19, 1928 the eldest child of Joseph and Ruby Lysaght.

After an early career in radio and television, both on and off the air, Beverly who had great artistic ability, settled into a lengthy career of creating original porcelain artist dolls for collectors and later accepted a commission to do the same for a major doll company.

After porcelain allergies prevented her from continuing this work, she began creating original cloth dolls and eventually designer cloth doll patterns which were successfully marketed worldwide.

After twenty-some years of creating cloth dolls, Beverly decided to pursue another of her dreams. She always felt she was born with a writer's gene. Publishers apparently agreed. Within a short time she became an award winning novelist, writing three powerful novels and a number of short stories for young people.

Beverly described her life as being uncertain, wacky, painful, hilarious, heartbreaking, glorious, and much too confusing to try and figure out. Her favorite saying, "don't sweat the small stuff, save your energy for the high hurdles".

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cardell Matthews in 2003, sister Barbara and brother Paul. She is survived by her sister Mrs. Robert (June) Miller of Florence, South Carolina.

Beverly's family and friends would like to thank the staff of Providence Hospital's Hospice Program for their wonderful support and care during her final days.

At Beverly's request no services are planned.

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, Portland, OR.