Carl Brown “Brown” Matthews, 82 died Monday, November 14, 2011. At his side was his loving and faithful wife of 28 years, Gelene A. Matthews. Brown was born on January 11, 1929 in Birmingham to Charles Franklin Matthews and Sam Lee Matthews. He graduated from Woodlawn High School and served in the Korean War. His primary career was in the food distribution business, servicing area hospitals and restaurants while working for local companies such as Wood Fruitticher and Red Diamond Institutional Foods. He enjoyed serving on the board of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Vestavia where he and Gelene have attended for several years and are members of Aldersgate Sunday School Class. Brown never met a stranger. He was a man of warmth and humor who loved his family and friends, and had a smile for everyone he encountered. Brown is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his son and namesake, Carl Brown Matthews, Jr. Survivors include his wife, Gelene A. Matthews of Birmingham; his son, Graham (Gina) Matthews; granddaughters: Krystal Matthews and Melanie Matthews all of Burbank, CA as well as his daughter Lynn Matthews of Concord, CA. Other survivors include his brother, Charles (Sissy) Matthews; his niece Cindy (Gary) Mitchell both of Birmingham. He was blessed to be a father and grandfather to his “bonus family” through Gelene: Kay Wren and friend Peggy Cunningham, Trey (Edith) Abernathy, Stephen (Marji) Abernathy, Drew Abernathy and John (Maggie) Abernathy; grandchildren: Amy (Patrick) Jones, Brad (Callie) Hydrick, Adam (Casey) Hydrick, Andrew and John Russell Abernathy, Mary Margaret and Marks Abernathy, Maggie Abernathy, Harriman, Brum, Frances and Sallie Abernathy. His memorial service will be held Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Stair and the staff of Greenbriar @ Altamont and New Beacon Hospice for their loving care. Those who wish to make a donation in honor of Brown may do so at these organizations that were near and dear to his heart: St. Mark United Methodist Church, 2901 Columbiana Road, Birmingham AL 35216 or the UAB Highlands Geriatric Unit at School of Medicine Development Office, Friends and Family Program, FOT 1231, 1530 Third Ave. So., Birmingham AL 35294-3412.
Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, 205-631-6252 in Gardendale, AL.
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