Barbara May Matthews

Barbara May Matthews was born on April 20, 1940, to Adell Silvera Anderson and Edwin Anderson in Retreat, St. Mary, Jamaica, West Indies. She was the second of twelve children: Eric, Merline, Rosevelt (Glen), Carmen, Lascelles, Junior, Paul, Michael, Elizabeth, Allison, and Yvonne.​ After completing her education in St. Mary, Barbara worked at the Convent of the Assumption in Brown’s Town, St. Ann caring for children attending the convent boarding school. During that time, she met her lifelong friend, Eva Howard. While in Brown’s Town she met Keith Matthews and had her ​daughter Sharon Matthews.  ​

​Life in England and Career

​In 1962, Barbara went to England to build a better future for herself and later married Keith Matthews; her daughter and Carmen Spence joined them in 1964.  Barbara first worked in a car parts factory before deciding to pursue a career in nursing. She trained at Edgware School of Nursing and, after graduating, worked in the X-ray department at Edgware General Hospital for more than twenty years. After retiring from nursing, Barbara continued serving mothers as a foster mother for the county of Harrow and worked at a retirement home for retired nuns.  

​Family, Hospitality, and Joys

In 1996, Barbara came to the United States to be near her many family members in Florida. She loved entertaining family and friends and was known for offering a cup of tea or another beverage before guests had even sat down. There was always dinner to share, cheese and crackers with a glass of wine, and a warm welcome in her home.  Barbara cared deeply for the younger generations in her family. She babysat her grandson, Christopher; her nieces Susan, Monique, Ingrid, Sasha, Kerry-Ann, Vanessa, Davia, Alecia, and Khori; and her nephews Karl and Khristian. Each of them holds fond and cherished memories of her.  Many family members came to Barbara for advice. She listened with care and offered words of encouragement. She also found joy in her music collection and her garden, where she tended her many plants and kept her lawn beautifully trimmed. She had a special relationship with Gloria and Ivan Cowans family, Eva Howard and her daughter Beverly Graham.

​A Peaceful Farewell

Her health started to decline in 2024 and on July 2, 2026, Barbara passed away at home, surrounded by her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her and will never be forgotten. May her soul rest in peace knowing she was deeply loved. Though you are gone, your spirit remains with us. ​

Forever Cherished, Forever Missed.