Lonnie Charles Mathews

Lonnie C. spent most of his childhood in Wauchula, Florida with his parents and siblings. Prior to moving to Wauchula, he spent some of his childhood in Enterprise, Alabama. He graduated from Lillian R. Brown High School in 1962, where he played football, participated in the Boys’ Club, served as the Senior Class Treasurer, and was art editor for the yearbook. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in April 1964, where he specialized in aircraft maintenance and air cargo. It was discovered upon enlistment into the United States Air Force the misspelling of his last name on his birth certificate. From then on, he would be the only member of the Matthews Family to have only one “t” in the last name. He retired in January 1987 at Patrick Air Force Base with the rank of E-8 as a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt). During his 23 years of service, Lonnie C. was stationed in many places around the world, which included England, Turkey, and the Philippines. This also included his service during the Vietnam War. While in the United States, he served in New Mexico and various bases within Florida. Soon after retirement from the Air Force, Lonnie C. would then attend and graduate from the Brevard County Law Enforcement Academy at Brevard Community College. He served as a Police Officer and Booking Desk Specialist at Palm Bay Police Department for 16 years, retiring in December 2005.

Lonnie C. met the love of his life, Carethea, in 1969, and were married June 20, 1974, in Tallahassee, Florida. From their union came two daughters, Alison and Stephanie. They would eventually settle in Palm Bay, Florida in 1983 while he was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base.

Lonnie C. had many hobbies in his spare time. He was a lover of classic cars and military aircrafts. He was a technology enthusiast, investing his time in different types of technology and computer programs. He enjoyed listening to music and spending time gardening his lawn. He loved his fur babies, owning different breeds of dogs over the years as well as his grand dogs, Angel and Jesse James aka JJ.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Sconiers Matthews; father, Lonnie Matthews; sister, Marie Matthews Lofton; and two brothers, James L. Matthews and Kevin Wayne Matthews.

Lonnie C. is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carethea of Palm Bay, FL; his two daughters, Alison Mathews Stanback (Thomas) of Palm Bay, FL and Stephanie Mathews of Palm Bay, FL; one sister, Mae M. Robinson (Bill) of Wauchula, FL; one godson, Dr. William Robinson, III (Yolonda) of Nolensville, TN; grandson, Xavier Stanback; nieces and nephews, Sheryl Matthews Williams (Lynn), Stanley F. Lofton (Alison), Jonathan Lofton (Angela), Angela Matthews, Noreen Matthews Sampson, Rebecca Matthews Redden (Tim), Ramona Matthews, Vicky Matthews Johnson, Trista Matthews, Jamie Matthews, ShiRhonda Matthews, LaQuandra Matthews, James Matthews, Dr. William Robinson, III (Yolonda), and Elisa Robinson Thornton and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Lonnie C. will be missed as a father, husband, brother, and uncle. His legacy will live on through the people who loved him most, who have embraced the life lessons he has taught and instilled in them throughout the years. He has returned home to be with his family and friends.

The family would like to thank sister-in-law Annie Boykin, Rose Louis, and Paulette Seraphim for their assistance in caring for Lonnie C. in his final year of life. We are eternally grateful for everything they did.