Rayburn was born August 12, 1943, in Pisgah, Alabama, the son of the late Alonzo “Lon” and Era Mullenax Matthews of Pisgah, Alabama. Rayburn graduated from Pisgah High School and joined the U. S. Navy at 18 years old. He served active duty for nine and half years on several ships during the Vietnam Era and earned an honorable discharge at Norfolk, Virginia in November 1968. After his discharge, he went to work as a machinist in Norfolk, Virginia. He relocated to Winter Park, Florida in 1974 and started an appliance service business. After 20 years, he relocated to Douglasville, Georgia and went to work as a Contract Compliance Specialist for the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission in Atlanta, where he retired January 1, 2015. Rayburn loved his service to the United States. He had a great sense of humor. He loved the Lord and loved his kids and grandkids—and adored his wife!
In addition to his parents, Rayburn was also predeceased by a sister, Geralene (Matthews) Thomas and a brother, Billy J. Matthews.
Rayburn is survived by his lovely wife of fifty-seven years, Janice Lee Fox Matthews; daughters, Donna V. Matthews Mann (Vic) and Cindy R. Spooner (James Jr.); sons, Douglas D. Matthews, Rayburn E. Matthews, Jr., and Raymond J. Matthews; grandchildren, Christina L. Miller (Robert), James O. Spooner, III, Luke R. Spooner (Guadalupe), Joseph O. Spooner, Rachael F. Spooner, Rebekah H. Spooner, and Sarah R. L. Spooner; and great grandchild, Luke R. Spooner, Jr.; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home on Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 pm.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 2:00 pm in the Rosehaven Chapel with Pastor Hubert Prewett officiating. The service will be live streamed from the services section of the obituary page at whitleygarner.com
Interment will follow in Rosehaven Cemetery with Douglas Matthews, Rayburn Matthews, Jr., Raymond Matthews, Jim Spooner, Robert Miller, James Spooner, III, and Luke Spooner serving as Pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at www.curealz.org.
You may share your thoughts and condolences online at www.whitleygarner.com
Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home in honored to be entrusted with the services of Rayburn Eugene Matthews, Sr. 770-942-4246
