MARICOPA — Frances C. Matthews, 70, of Maricopa died on Oct. 18, 2011, at home.A private family gathering was planned.Mrs. Matthews was born on Nov. 12, 1940, in Charlotte, N.C., and was a daughter of Jack and Frances "Fannie" Gooden. She worked as a nursing assistant. She enjoyed raising funds for various organizations including the March of Dimes. She was a devout Christian and loved music and singing. She was raised in upstate New York and moved to Arizona in 1966 to attend a Bible college in Sierra Vista. She battled breast cancer for the last year and spent her final days with her daughter Rachel in Maricopa.Survivors include three daughters, Rachel L. Cherry of Maricopa, Hannah Mooreland of Goodyear and Mary Sykes of Phoenix; a son, David Courtney of Goodyear; a sister, Ernestine Wright of Carefree; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wade.J. Warren Funeral Services, Mountain View Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
