Cornelius F. Matthews, Jr. fondly known as "Corky", died suddenly on December 22, 2013 at his home in Laurel, Maryland.  He was the son of Mrs. Adelaide King Matthews and the late Dr. Cornelius Matthews.  Corky received his education at Hampton University where he earned his Bachelor and Masters Degrees.  He pursued post graduate work with the intention of securing a PhD in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences.

In Hampton, he met and married Sabrina Brown of Norfolk, Virginia.  To this union was born a daughter, Courtnee, and a son , Dante.  The marraige eventually ended in divorce.

Corky, 52, was a devoted educator that began his teaching career in the Martinsville Public School System where he taught Science at Martinsville Middle School.

Early in his teaching career in Martinsville, Corky learned that "telling" was not "teaching".  Under the leadership and guidance of Mr. William Vickers and Dr. Joan Montgomery, he learned how to develop science lessons of value and interest that would be most beneficial to the students he would teach.  After several years in Martinsville, he and his family moved to Hampton, VA.  At Hampton University, he was employed as an instructor in Biology and as a counselor for Hampton's Summer School Program.  In due time, he also taught Science in Hampton's Public School System.

When he left Hampton and relocated to Maryland, Corky's teaching experiences enabled him to form a foundation and understand that a teacher must plan and prepare to take each student "educationally to the threshold of his own mind."  Corky showed both imagination and commitment to the students in this endeavor.

He moved to Laurel, Maryland, and sucessfully passed the Maryland State Teachers Examination.  He later became a certified teacher of Science in the Prince George County Middle School until his passing. 

He is survived by his daughter, Courtnee(Atlanta GA); his son, Dante, (Laurel MD); his sister, Carol Dewitt(Ronald) (Bowie MD); his mother, Adelaide Matthews(Ellicott City, MD); aunts, Marilyn Williams(Howard) and Roberta Price (Randallstown MD;formally of Martinsville VA), and Dorothy Matthews(Mitchellville, MD)

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.,at the Village Baptist Church, 1950 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, MD 20716.  Please view and sign the family's guestbook at: www.beallfuneral.com