Hellon Elizabeth Matthews

Hellon Elizabeth Matthews, beloved mother to Mark, passed away peacefully in Raleigh, NC on March 25, 2025. She was born in Stedman, NC on December 30, 1938, to the late Hilma and Sheldon Beard. She was raised on a working farm and enjoyed her childhood surrounded by her sister and extended family.

Hellon attended Stedman High School and graduated in 1957 as the class Valedictorian. It was there that she met the love of her life, the late John Augustus "Gus" Matthews. The two married shortly after graduation and embarked on a life together that took them across North Carolina, including Fayetteville, Oxford, Four Oaks, Morehead City, and finally New Bern, where Gus was stationed with the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Hellon built a career in office administration, working for the NC Community College System in Smithfield and later for Kenneth Morris Insurance in New Bern. She was a devoted member of West New Bern Presbyterian Church, serving in numerous roles including bookkeeper and accountant. She cherished the many lifelong friends made through the church and surrounding community.

A lover of music—especially Elvis—Hellon found joy in playing the piano and relaxing with her favorite songs. She treasured trips to the beach, boating on the Trent River, and reading a good mystery novel. Hellon enjoyed cheering on her son at his baseball games and was his biggest fan. She spent the last 15 years of her life living in Raleigh, NC where she found joy in spending time with her grandsons and watching them grow up.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gus Matthews; twin infant daughters; and sister, Grace Beard (Benny) Melvin. She is survived by her son, Mark Matthews, his wife Kim, and grandsons Andrew and Will Matthews of Raleigh, NC; sister-in-law, Mary Bain of Flower Mound, TX; niece Debbie (Robert) Thomas of Flower Mound, TX; nephews Rob and Josh Thomas of Flower Mound, TX; nephew Derek Melvin of Winston-Salem, NC; and numerous beloved cousins.

A visitation will be held at Cotton Funeral Home in New Bern, NC, on Saturday, April 12, from 12:00- 1:00 PM, followed by a graveside service at 1:30 PM at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Hellon's name to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the American Heart Association.