Jewell Ragsdale Matthews

A Raleigh native, Jewell was born to Margaret Jewell Ragsdale and Thompson William Ragsdale. She graduated from Needham Broughton High School, attended Saint Mary's College for two years, and graduated from East Carolina University in 1965.

Jewell was known for her quick wit, her love of her Boston terriers, and doting on her three grandchildren, who affectionately called her Bunny.

She is survived by her sister, Sallie Ragsdale Klingman; her daughters, Margaret Darden Matthews and Lila Matthews Hobgood; and her three grandchildren, Alfred Llewellyn Hobgood V, Clara Odette Hobgood, and Jewell Gooding Hobgood. She was predeceased by her parents.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at Christ Church, 120 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC. A reception will immediately follow, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wake Relief ( https://onrealm.org/ChristEpiscopal17136/-/form/give/now ).

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Matthews family.