ORA MILLER MATTHEWS, Class of 1958, age 69, of Bessemer, AL, passed away July 31, 2010. Viewing and visitation will be from 6pm - 8pm on Friday. Funeral service will be Saturday, August 7th at 12PM at Faith Chapel Campus A with burial in Lincoln Cemetery. Dr. Michael Moore and Minister Byron Franklin officiating. Integrity Funeral Home directing.  Obituary

Deceased Classmate: Ora Miller Matthews (1958)
Date Of Birth: June-22-1941
Date Deceased: July-31-2010
Age at Death: 69
Cause of Death: Ovarian Cancer
Classmate City: Bessemer
Classmate State: AL
Classmate Country: USA
Survived By: She was preceded in death by one daughter, Terri Elaine, three sisters and two brother and leaves to cherish her memory: one daughter, Jongelyn Mathews; three grandsons, James Curtis Lee II (Lainy) of Ft. Washington, Maryland, Robert Van Johnson III and Jahson Dre’son Allen; Herman Weeks, Arthur Miller, James Miller, Edward Miller (Jeanetta), all of Bessemer, Alabama, Louis Miller (Bonnie) and Curtis Kennedy (Ann), both of Los Angeles, California and Bobby Reeves of New York; four sisters, Ruby Hicks (Nathaniel) and Patricia Johnson (Warner), of Bessemer, Alabama, Dorothy Wiley of Cleveland, Ohio, Karen Mason of Los Angeles, California and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Ora Beryl Miller was born on June 22, 1941 to the late Spurgeon Miller, Sr. and Bertha Hargrove in Woodstock, Alabama. Her family rooted and she was raised in Bessemer, Alabama on Paul’s Hill where she attended Old St. Paul Church. Her academic endeavors led to a Master’s Degree plus sixty credits and she retired with 34 years of dedicated and recognized service in teaching to the children of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Her quest for achievement began when “Polly”, as she was fondly known, graduated from Stillman College in 1962. After she graduated, she united in holy matrimony with John T. Mathews on May 30, 1962 and relocated to the District of Columbia Metropolitan Area, where she resided for almost 40 years. Into this union, two daughters were born. Both John T. and Terri Elaine await her in glory! Once rooted, Polly joined the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church family in Southeast, Washington, D.C. and gave her life to Christ. This church family groomed her and she taught the Adult III Ladies Sunday School Class for over 25 years. After retiring, she returned to her home in Bessemer, Alabama and continued her love of teaching at Miles College. Polly lived an exemplary life and shared her love for Stillman College, literary pursuits and helping others. Polly was a giver and although her life was filled with organizations, for which she received many awards of achievement, she stilled made time to open her heart, her home and her wallet. She built families with many in her travels and have maintained these relationships to the end and instilled these values in all who she touched.   Reported by: Jongelyn Matthews, Daughter

Funeral services, Saturday · August 7th, 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Faith Chapel Christian Center...Campus A Birmingham (Wylam), Alabama,