Sylvia Marie Matthews, affectionately known as GG, entered eternity peacefully, holding hands with her granddaughter Rachelle, on April 17, 2018. In her last days, Sylvia was surrounded by family and friends who spent time with her reflecting on the full, rich, adventurous life that she led. She was known for bringing the Jack Black and the laughs – wherever she went, the party was sure to follow. Sylvia took pride in being a native Washingtonian and a graduate of Burdick Vocational High School. Shortly after graduation, she served as a Human Resource Specialist with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Sylvia retired after 40+ years of federal service, but because of her vast institutional knowledge and expertise, she was later asked to return for a six-week contract position and stayed on for an additional five years. Sylvia’s love of God, family, travel and movies, kept her schedule busy, even after retirement. She signed on with Senior Helpers as a driver, taking the elderly to the grocery store, the pharmacy or doctors appointments. The tips that she received would find their way to a jar she labeled “Driving Miss Daisy.” Before she became ill, she spent Sundays attending the early service at the People’s Community Baptist Church, reviewing the TV Guide for the week and flipping back and forth from QVC to black and white movies. Sylvia’s adventures stretched far and wide - literally! She visited over 15 countries and islands and while there she soaked in all the local culture and enjoyed the culinary delights. Although she was born in January, Sylvia loved the warmer months. After spending the spring planting and pruning in her garden, when summer hit she was breaking out the tent and firing up the grill. Late August brought about a larger gathering of family and friends for an annual pre-Labor Day fish fry. GG enjoyed decorating her house for every single holiday so that she could have her great grandchildren over to stuff them full of all sorts of delicious treats, much to the chagrin of their parents. Known for her wit, sass and impeccable memory, GG made friends and built relationships everywhere she went by simply “keeping it real.” But with all that she had done while living her best life, her pride and joy was her family. Her legacy includes daughters Neysa Marie and Adrienne Lettre; grandchildren, Rachelle Alyne, Chandra Elise, Allen Shon (Kia Nicole), Xavier Alexander, great-grandchildren, Trinity Marie, Mekhi Anthony, Taji Allen and Kori Madison; niece, Stephanie Tindal, nephew Keith Tindal and great-niece, Camille Tindal. She is reunited with her mother, Beatrice Camp Carpenter; father, O’Dell Green; and sister, Thelma “Cootie” Tindal.
