Raymond Roscoe Matthews (Ray), passed away peacefully on February 20, 2022 in Battle Creek MI, his daughter C Lynn at his side.
A long-time resident of Benton Harbor, Ray was known to many as the owner of Ideal TV on Fair Street. Respected and admired in the appliance repair business, his loyal clientele saw a tall, elegant man, who was both hardworking and fair dealing.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Louisiana, the outbreak of World War II forced him to grow up fast. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mattie Lou Sapp, before enlisting and serving in the Army Air Force and to this union, a daughter Shirley Ann was born.
He loved working with his hands and his Army work with radio and sonar introduced him to his future career. He migrated to Michigan and with the help of the GI bill gained experience and skill with electronics, enabling him to make a name for himself in a new and budding industry.
His first marriage did not survive the war but he and Mattie remained lifelong friends. In 1948, he met and married Birdie Merritt and raised two children Dennis and C Lynn in Benton Harbor. On a personal level he had many friends and actively engaged in the Dorie Miller American Legion Post 410 and The Old Timers Club. He will be loved and remembered for his unique and wonderful personality, his perpetual smile and infectious laugh. He had a zest for life, loved math and crunched numbers for hours on end in vain pursuit of beating the lottery.
He is survived by three children: Shirley Smith (Gilbert), Dennis Matthews (Reber) and (C)heryl Lynn and six grandchildren: Susan Lewis (Greg), Christopher Brown, Michelle Jordon, Samaria McCoy, Michael Matthews, and Dedrick Valentine.
A private memorial tribute will be held at the Fort Custer Cemetery in Battle Creek on Monday, June 13th at noon.
We acknowledge and thank friends and caregivers, especially, Terri Pennock, for their help and kindness throughout the years.