Harriet Tooley Matthews
(April 18, 1920 - April 19, 2011)

Harriet Tooley Matthews, 91, of Huntington, died April 19, 2011 at the Emogene Dolen Jones Hospice House. Harriet was born April 18, 1920 in Lincoln County W.Va., a daughter of the late James and Dora Hazelett Tooley. She received her B.A. Degree from Marshall University in Elementary Education. While her husband was serving in Europe during WWII, she took her first teaching job at a two-room schoolhouse in Point Pleasant, W.Va. Her commute from Huntington consisted of flagging down a train to ride to school during the week and returning home, by train, to care for her siblings on the weekends. She retired from teaching after more than forty years of serving at Cammack, Spring Hill and Lincoln Elementary Schools and was a member of the Cabell County Retired Teachers Association. She was also the proprietor of Sugar Snaps in Huntington, specializing in English Smocking and Heirloom Sewing. Harriet was a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church where she served on the Alter Guild and was a charter member of the Daughters of the King. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her devoted husband, William N. Matthews, and ten siblings. Harriet is survived by four children and their spouses, Harriette and John Cyrus of Huntington, Peggy and Ron Dean of Hamlin, W.Va., William and Leigh Matthews of Columbia, S.C. and Betsy and Blair Mort of Huntington; six grandchildren, Rebecca Cyrus, Caroline and William “Chase” Matthews and Marshall, Matthew, and Martha Mort; one great-grand daughter, Olivia Mort; one sister Norma Lee Harrison of Huntington and her faithful dog, Buddy. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to her caregiver and loving friend, Susie Lewis. The family extends their sincere appreciation to Harriet’s Hospice Homecare team and the nurses, doctors and staff at the Hospice House. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church by The Very Rev’d R. Kevin Kelly. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service in the Church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church or Hospice of Huntington.