difficult to summarize Matthew Driggers, as he was a complex man with many sides. He was a
loving father and a good friend to many, and a gentle person. This is our attempt to show the
true Matthew.
Matthew Edward Driggers was born in Tampa, Florida on January 24, 1975. He spent his first
few weeks in foster care, and his parents, Irvanna and Rodney Driggers were elated to bring him
to his new home in Brandon after adoption on March 17, 1975, when he joined his older brother,
Daniel. Matthew was much loved by both sets of grandparents, his aunts and uncles, and a host
of cousins. Matthew's family lived near enough that the cousins were all close and grew up
together.
Matthew showed both verbal and athletic ability early in life. If he could throw it, he threw it
with accuracy, starting at a young age. Matthew played football for a time in his early teens, and
he enjoyed playing basketball with his sons to the end of his days. He taught them all to be good
basketball players. He enjoyed swimming with them, too, even in the Alafia river full of
alligators. Matthew enjoyed many outdoor activities with his sons. He camped often as a child,
and continued to love the outdoors.
When Matthew was eight, his family moved from Brandon to Riverview. He attended Riverview
Elementary, Philip Shore Sixth Grade Center, Eisenhower Junior High School, and East Bay
High School. Matthew was of above-average intelligence, and was enrolled in the gifted
program from grades two through eight. After high school, Matthew attended Erwin Vo-Tech
through Hillsborough Community College, where he trained as an electrician and obtained his
certificate.
Although he was a licensed electrician, he was also adept in many different areas and willing to
take on any work that let him be outside. He did not like desk work, but he did like working
with his hands. Matthew was a very hard worker, often working hard long into the night, in
oppressive heat or cold. He often worked seven days a week without a break. Much of his work
was freelance, and he had many friends for whom he worked. At the time of his death, he was
becoming quite successful doing work for strangers, as word of his skill spread by mouth, and he
was frequently requested by name.
Matthew had a natural gift for making his surroundings look good. He was skilled at such things
as laying tile in a decorative pattern, arranging plantings outdoors in a pleasant way, and
generally choosing items, colors and textures, and arrangements that were attractive. Matthew
also had a gift for drawing and painting, and loved to apply his own creative touch to all of his
belongings and living areas.
Matthew had a very strong love for each of his sons. He was gentle with them, and was
constantly trying to teach them what he thought they would need to know in order to survive in a
hard world. He made them independent and adventurous at an early age.
Matthew was a loyal friend to many, and several have commented that he was a good and kind
person, with no tendency whatever to violence. He had to sever some toxic relationships in order
to conquer his addictions, and he was making great progress toward becoming free at the time of
his death. He had managed to be sober and clean of all illicit substances, only taking what was
prescribed by a doctor. More importantly, he was making great strides toward mending
relationships that had been damaged during his hard years. He had apologized to close members
of his family and was determined to make amends and be a much better person, father, son,
brother, and husband. His goals were to regain custody of his sons and rebuild his family, and to
have a warm relationship again with his brother.
Matthew never lost his faith in Jesus Christ. He accepted Christ as his Savior when he was
young, and attended church regularly as a young person, but had drifted away from church
attendance. On his last day, he told his mother he intended to go to church with her on January
1. Matthew knew that God had forgiven his transgressions, and that God asks us to forgive those
who have wronged us.
Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Rodney Driggers, his paternal grandparents
(May and Irvin Driggers), his maternal grandparents (Roseanna and Irving Dow), and a
cousin (Hoyt Dow, Jr.). He is survived by his wife, Jocelyn, and by his beloved four
sons, Logan, Aidan, Tylor, and Austin, and by a stepdaughter, Emily. He is also survived
by his mother, Irvanna Driggers, his brother Daniel Driggers and Daniel's family, and by
aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him.
Rest in Peace, dear Matthew. You suffered some hard times, had some good times, showed your
love to many, and were loved by many. You have earned your eternal rest.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5