Velma Loretta Sims Matthews, 79, of Tifton died Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2014, at Salem Baptist Church. Rev. Andy Ring will officiate with burial to follow in Salem Memorial Gardens. Deacons of Salem Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 5, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mrs. Matthews will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Mrs. Matthews was born on January 20, 1935 in Berrien County and was the daughter of Albert L. Sims and Eunie Hendley Sims, both deceased. She was a homemaker and was a member of Salem Baptist Church for almost 60 years, where she taught Sunday school for many of those years. She loved to garden, loved flowers, sewing and reading. Mrs. Matthews is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Leonard F. Matthews of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Brenda Matthews of Tifton; three daughters and sons-in-law, Loretta “Rita” and Robert Petrizzo of Coolidge, Marty and Tony Estella of Omega, and Laurie and Tommy Nash of Tifton; one brother, Louie A. Sims of Ashburn; eight grandchildren, Jessica Pritchard, Jeremy Nash, Nikki Estella, Andrew Estella, Cecilia Fallin, Jonathan Salpas, Katherine Salpas, and Brandi Rhodes; and seven great-grandchildren, Bryanna McInvale, Bryce Rhodes, Brody Rhodes, Jacob Estella, Brianna Pritchard, Chance Pritchard, and Emma Pritchard. Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Salem Baptist Church, c/o Sara Lamb, 15 Ellis Bryan Road, Tifton, GA 31793.
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