ROBERT E. LEE MATTHEWS

Robert E. Lee Matthews, b January 9, 1882, d May 22, 1949 at Reagan and buried in Waite Cemetery was one of six children of Isaac and Tennessee Matthews, including Mary Dubose, Samuel, Cephas Isaac, James, and John H. Matthews, who settled in Falls County near Reagan.

R. E. L., called "Lee", was married to Beulah Peeples, b January 29, 1896, d May 23, 1977 and buried in Waite Cemetery ‑ a daughter of Rufus Pinkney and Alice Peeples.

The couple reared three children:

Robert Edward Lee Matthews, Jr. (called "Bob") married Willie Roarck and had Martha Alice Matthews who married Jon Steen, D.D.S. ‑ an officer in the U.S. Army, former concert pianist, and a dentist; Judy Matthews who married Charles Brantner and had Kimberly Kay, Charles, Jr., and Kelly Kay Brantner; and Robert Edward Lee Matthews, III, who attended Sam Houston State University.

James Louis Matthews (called "Louie"), married Dorothy Virginia Swinnea. Louie has been Falls County Commissioner, is a song leader, and active in community affairs. Virginia has worked in several jobs, and the couple have two sons: James Louis Matthews, Jr., who has a B.A. and M.A. degree in Education and Business Administration; and Terry Matthews, who works on water lines and is married to Debbie Pate.

Gloria Matthews ‑ married Charles Spivey, an Air Force Pilot, who was killed in World War II. They had a son, Charles Spivey, Jr., who married Peggy (maiden surname unknown). Gloria married second to her brother‑in‑law, Patrick Spivey ‑also a World War II veteran, who owns a barbeque business. Their four children are: Sam Spivey, who was a White House Presidential Aide in 1971; Tarver Spivey, who is a Baptist minister; Jeannie Spivey, who is an elementary schoolteacher; and Beth Spivey, who attended college.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this web page. “Families of Falls County”, compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Department, p. 303