Charles Matthews

Charles Matthews was born on April 2, 1927, in Manhattan, New York City, to Charlie Matthews, age 32, and Ann Harris, age 35. His parents, who were from Brunswick and Savannah, Georgia, were among those who participated in the Great Migration, leaving the South for the North. Charles lost his mother when he was just one year old.

He registered for the World War II draft on April 2, 1945, while working for the U.S. Post Office in New York. He later served in the U.S. Army as a private during the Korean War. On February 15, 1950, he married Joyce Bough of the Virgin Islands, and together they had four children.

Charles lived a long and meaningful life. He was known for his slight stutter, dry humor, his love of photography, his lifelong devotion to the New York Yankees, and his later interests in genealogy and health and wellness. He was also the eldest resident at Campbell-Stone Apartments in Buckhead, Georgia, where he was well known and respected by staff and neighbors.

On May 18, 2026, Charles Matthews passed away at home at the age of 99, after recently celebrating his 99th birthday with family and generations of loved ones. His passing deeply saddened his family and the staff at this apartment complex who had grown to know and appreciate him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce V. Bough, and his third child, Jocelyn A. Matthews.

He is survived by three children, Shelley Matthews-DeWese, Charles Matthews, and Chai Matthews; four grandchildren, Joyce DeWese-White, Summer DeWese, Charles Earl Matthews, and Nullissa DeWese-Browne; ten great-grandchildren, Ayanna DeWese, Breanna Ward, Britni Ward, Brielle Ward, Aaron White, Brynae Ward, Charlotte Victoria Matthews, Cairo Browne, Noa Browne, and Zhuri Browne; and special niece, Barbara Mims-Gray great-niece Shannon Gray-Whitson, and special great nephew Allen Gray

Charles Matthews will be remembered for his love of family, his quiet strength, his lifelong curiosity, and the joy he found in the simple and meaningful parts of life.