Robert Lee Matthews, retired horse groomer
Robert Lee Matthews of Frankford entered into eternal rest Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, at Cadia Renaissance Center.
Robert was born April 12, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pa., to the late Julia Harmon and Harry Carpenter. At an early age, he was adopted by the late Susie Sturgis Laws and raised in Melfa, Va. He was a member of the first graduating class of Towers School in Wachapreague, Va., where Mrs. Katie Dean was the lead teacher. He also graduated from Mary N. Smith High School, Accomac, Va., in 1945.
Robert joined the United States Army and served two years in Germany until honorably discharged. Afterward, he became employed by Thoroughbred Harness Raceway in Long Island, N.Y. For many years, he faithfully worked there and in Ocean City, Md., as a horse groomer until his retirement. Everyone knew that he truly loved his job. He also loved watching television, especially sports and rooting for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.
Robert married the love of his life, Marie B. Bailey, on May 13, 1953. They resided together in Frankford for 66 years until God called her home March 19, 2020. Robert leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters, Julia Johnson (Jerome) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Rosetta Hilliard (John) of Selbyville; one son, Robert Nock of Wilmington; daughter-in-law Jerry Bailey Hayes (Wes) of Laurel; granddaughter-in-law Tashaye Hilliard; three sisters, Margarite Parks of Accomac, Charmaine Thomas of Lewes, and Celeste Brown (Paul) of Lawnside, N.J.; two brothers, Kenneth Dunning Sr. (Dale) and Lewins Dunning of Lewes; 11 nephews, Wendell Parks Sr. of Temple Hill, Md., Randall Parks of Raleigh, N.C., Bernie Boggs Jr. of Killeen, Texas, Troy Dunning, Kenneth Dunning Jr., Dale Dunning, and Brooks Dunning of Lewes, Drew (Kristen), Desmond, Chaz, and Paul IV; three great-nieces, Samantha Fitchett of Melfa, Ruth Logan of Cincinnati, and Shenita Logan of Melfa; a special niece and nephew, Mary and Lewis Burton of Melfa; six grandchildren, Hadiya King (Chester) of Lorton, Va., Jerome Johnson Jr. of Cincinnati, Julian Johnson of Alexandria, Va., Jesse Johnson of Vorhees, N.J., Gregory Hilliard (Pam) of Smyrna, and Tina Jones (Durron) of Virginia; 15 great-grandchildren, Jaslyn Davis Johnson, Taymar Johnson, Aanyah Johnson, Jamir Johnson, Zoe King, Sydnee King, Jrue Johnson, Bryson Johnson, Monique Scott, Jasmine Hilliard, Shi’erra Hilliard, Keaira Hilliard, Ka’Miya Hilliard, Tyron Hilliard, and Jerome Tull (Sheena); one great-great-grandson, Josiah Lowe; and a host of family and friends.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Marie B. Matthews; mother Julia Harmon; father Harry Carpenter; adopted mother Susie Sturgis Laws; son John Henry Bailey, two grandsons, Ronald Hilliard and John Hilliard Jr.; three sisters, Bernice Fernell, Sue Reed, and Thelma Dunning; two adopted sisters, Jessie Turlington and Iradella Sample Logan; three adopted brothers, Elton Matthews, Ollie Webb, and Bernie Boggs Sr.; and nephew Darnell.
A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for viewing and visitation. Interment will follow at the Zoar Golden Acres Cemetery in Bishopville, Md. Electronic condolences via www.watsonfh.com.
