Herbert Ray Matthews

Herbert Ray Matthews, Sr., born January 5, 1929, a “plain ole country boy”, passed away peacefully on Mon, Sept 26, 2016. Herb was loved by many, was the son of Jason and Pauline Matthews, of Marietta, GA. He married Patricia Lea Benton in Atlanta, in 1957, and was blessed with two children, Lea Matthews Butler and Herbert Ray “Chip” Matthews, Jr.

Herb accomplished much in his eighty-seven years. The words that describe Herb best are: humble beginnings, perseverance, hard working, extremely loving, and generous. He grew up on a farm with eight brothers and sisters. He learned to milk cows and plow fields behind the family’s mule. His first paid job at 7 years old was delivering groceries on a bike for $5 a week. He graduated from Marietta High School and Georgia State University. Herb honorably served his country in the Naval Reserves. With Herb’s perseverance and hard work, hearty hand shake and bone-crushing hugs, he rose to be the president of Benton Brothers Film Express, Benton Film Forwarding, Air Van Inc., and The 4M Operating Corp. He was the chairman of the Georgia Motor Trucking Assoc., Film Air Package Carriers Conference, American Trucking Association, and National Film Service. Personal accomplishments included Chairman of the Variety Club of Atlanta, Allatoona Yacht Club, and others. There was never anything that Herb got involved in that he didn't rise to the top. He and Patty spent fifty-six blissful years of marriage together, splitting their time between Atlanta, and The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL.

At Ocean Reef, Herb and Patty jumped in with both feet- joining the Racquet Club, Yacht Club, and Card Sound Golf Club. He also was on the Board of Directors at the Ocean Reef Medical Center, Card Sound Golf Club, and The Cultural Center.

Even with all of the accomplishments, both personally and professionally, nothing was more rewarding than his relationships with his family and he and Patty’s huge group of friends. What we’ll remember the most is their perseverance, love of family and friends, the fun they had together, traveling with their friends, and their memorable parties. Herb was also blessed with a relationship later in life, of which Patty orchestrated. Kay Pound, a life-long friend, was a beautiful, kind blessing to Herb and lit up his life.

Herb is survived by his brothers Earl Matthews (Pat), and Doris Matthews, and his sister Geraldine Cowan (Joel), his daughter Lea Benton Matthews Butler (Alan) and Chip Matthews, (Anne), and five grandchildren: Lexi and Prescott Butler, Benton, Alex Anne, and Sarah Elizabeth Matthews.

Funeral Services will be held at the Cathedral of St Philip, 2744 Peachtree Rd, NW, Atlanta, GA, Thursday, Sept 29, 2016 at 3:00pm. A reception immediately following the service will be at The Cherokee Town Club, 155 West Paces Ferry Rd NW.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Herb’s name to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org, or to Visiting Nurse Health System, www.vnhs.org.