Cleveland Matthews, Sr.

It's with love and honor that we celebrate the life of a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. The journey, of Cleveland Matthews, began June 30, 1944 in Columbia, SC, and peacefully ended at the Dorn VA Hospital, Saturday, April 14, 2018, at 6:28 P.M.

“Big Cle”, as his family and friends affectionately knew him, enjoyed sports, dancing, and being the life of the party.

Cleveland was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy Matthews and Martha Kelly; and two sisters, Barbara Richardson and Fradina Keelsey.

Cleveland was a 1963 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School; he later enlisted into the United States Army where he served in the Vietnam War. Upon entering civilian life, he was employed with Continental Can Company for several years before retiring from the Marriott Hotel after 23 years of dedicated service. He was baptized at Second Union Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend John R. Wilson.

Cleveland leaves to cherish his loving memory: one son, Cleveland Matthews Jr.; three beautiful daughters: LaTasha Matthews, Martha Matthews, and LaShawn Matthews, all of Columbia, SC; eight grandchildren: Keira Matthews, Brandon Matthews, Brittany Brown, Treasure Matthews, Willie Reed, Warren Matthews, Averi Matthews, and DaniKwa Trapp; three great-grandchildren; two sisters: Gail Kelly, of Columbia, SC, and Deirdre Minter of Temple Hills, MD; two beautiful aunts: Elizabeth Morris of Columbia, SC, and Hazel Chestnut of Philadelphia, PA; one niece: Andrea “Renee” Rodriguez of Winder, GA; two nephews: David Reed, and Edward Minter, of Temple Hills, MD; and a host of other loving relatives and friends whom he loved dearly. 

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