On a beautiful warm spring day on the 3rd of May in 1950, one of
the most intelligent and thoughtful people this world would ever come to
know was born. Marcus Stewart Matthews, the 3rd child of four siblings
was born to Ophel and Harry Matthews, Sr. in the city of Albany, Georgia.
As the son of Ophel Matthews, a college educated and renowned local math
teacher, Marcus was instilled with the value and importance of education
which he pursued throughout the entirety of his young and adult life.
Marcus's early education began when he attended Dan McCarty
High School in Fort Pierce, Florida. As a result of excelling amongst his
high school peers, he was accepted to Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU)
in Charlotte, North Carolina where he attended and pursued his Bachelor's
degree in Business Administration.
It was at JCSU in Charlotte where he met his true love and best
friend, Joyce Jordan. Soon after graduating with a degree in Business
Administration, he proposed and married his college sweetheart, Joyce J.
Matthews. Marcus and Joyce remained in Charlotte where they gave birth to
their only child, Marcus James Matthews. In 1986, Marcus Stewart
Matthews moved his family to Miami, Florida in pursuit of advancing his
career and providing a better life for his family. Once Marcus and his family
were established in Miami they joined and eventually became lifelong
members of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist church. Soon after moving,
Marcus changed industries and began a lucrative career with Miami-Dade
transit. After years of service with Miami-Dade transit, Marcus returned to
his pursuit of higher education by pursuing two Master's degrees from St.
Thomas University. During this time Marcus decided to yet again take on a
career change as an educator and consultant for Miami-Dade Public
Schools. Years later, now equipped with an MBA, Marcus decided jointly
with his wife to pursue a Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern
University (NSU). In 2012, in what would be one of his proudest moments,
Marcus along with his wife Joyce were "presented" with the title of Doctors
of Education. Dr. Matthews finally achieved his lifelong dream of excelling
to the epitome of higher education.
Unfortunately, in 2015, Dr. Marcus Stewart Matthews was
diagnosed with stage IV cancer. After two difficult years, Dr. Matthews lost
his battle with cancer on Sunday, November 19th. Dr. Marcus Matthews
was preceded in death by his mother and father Ophel and Harry Matthews,
and his sister Aurora A. "Ninia" Matthews. He leaves precious memories to
be cherished with his wife, Joyce Matthews, son, Marcus James Matthews
(Bizu), brothers, Harry Eugene Matthews, Jr. and Dazzell Lorenzo "Ren"
Matthews, Sr. (Vema), grandchildren, Nuniyat, Soliana and Makari along
with a host of other relatives and friends.