Betty A. Matthews

Ms. Betty Ann Matthews, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Piedmont Henry Hospital after a short illness. She was born to the late Arthur Lee Matthews, a retired railroad worker, and Ethel Lee Price, a homemaker, on January 2, 1936, in Ozark, Alabama. Her family moved to Tallahassee, Florida during her early years. She would travel back and forth to Ohio every summer. She attended Alliance High School in Alliance, Ohio and then relocated to Washington D.C where she met Alvin Frogg, a retired Marine at a Marine Corp ball. He would eventually become the father of her children. While in Washington, D.C, Betty obtained a job as a housing appraiser for HUD (Housing Urban Development).

She was a dedicated public servant and a committed, valuable and respected worker. She enjoyed going out into different places, appraising houses and meeting people from all walks of life. She had an unwavering commitment to public service. HUD allowed her to relocate to Cleveland, Ohio to be near her mother. She eventually decided to attend Cuyahoga Community College where she obtained her associate’s degree in early childhood education. She then began teaching for the Montessori School System as well as several public schools throughout Cleveland and surrounding suburbs. She was a patient, nurturing and observant teacher. She fostered a love of learning. She demonstrated that love of learning and inspired students to become lifelong learners. She touched every student she met. She was a dedicated teacher and was loved by all her students. Betty obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in management from Dyke College in Cleveland, Ohio. She also enrolled in other necessary certificate and training programs. She became a drug and alcohol counselor, first for Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio, eventually working in halfway homes on the weekends. She was quite instrumental in assisting those suffering from excessive drug or alcohol abuse. She worked very closely with people from all walks of life that were in need. She played a very instrumental part in witnessing many breakthroughs and successes in people’s lives. Betty obtained yet another degree…her MSW at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. She worked at several government agencies such as Social Services and the Department of Health & Human Services.

Betty Ann Matthews was a loving mother, sister, friend, confidant, educator and social worker. She was an affectionate, dedicated and hardworking person who always put the needs of others ahead of her own. She never met a stranger, and she would take the clothes off of her back to help someone else. She was someone who was always there to offer support, wisdom and love in abundance.

She loved her family dearly. They always celebrated the main holidays together. She loved to cook, attend church, make jewelry and special baskets in her spare time. She loved to watch sports too. Her favorite football team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. She loved Coach Mike Tomlin! Her favorite baseball team was the New York Yankees. She also loved volunteering for different organizations and visiting nursing homes, senior citizen homes, homeless shelters and halfway homes.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Arthur Lee Matthews and Ethel Lee Price; her brother; Willie Ford, her sister; Margaret Ann Dixon and her two sons; Robert T. Matthews and Winifred Matthews.

She is survived by her daughter; Dawn Matthews, her sons; Sean Matthews and Roderick Matthews, her seven grandchildren; Delfayeo S. Matthews, Terrell Matthews, Roderick Matthews Jr., Charleena Matthews, Hope Matthews, Robert Matthews Jr. and Darian Cundiff, her two great grandchildren; Delfayeo S. Matthews Jr., and Aidan Cundiff, her sisters; Robbie Lee Young and Joyce B. McClay and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

We, the family of Betty Ann Matthews, wish to extend our sincere thanks and deep gratitude for the many expressions of sympathy and the acts of kindness and consideration shown during our time of bereavement. Your prayers have helped us at this difficult time.

AA Prayer- Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. “ Psalm 19:14