Elsie Rebecca Vause Matthews, age 90, went to be with the Lord on April 13, 2021 at McLeod’s Hospice House, a spiritual place with loving caregivers in Florence, SC . She spent the last 7 years at Presbyterian Home where she received excellent care with lots of kindness
Elsie was born on January 20, 1931 to Julius Benjamin Vause and Olive Langston Vause. Elsie married J.D. Matthews, Jr. on June 12, 1953. Elsie graduated from Coker College and taught Physical Education and coached girls basketball at Poynor Junior High School. She had a Master’s degree in Health Education from USC.
Elsie began playing the piano at a young age. She would get up in the morning to make biscuits and play the piano while they were cooking. She played piano or organ at Sardis Baptist Church and Timmonsville Presbyterian Church. She directed many girls singing trios at Turbeville Children’s Home and Sardis Baptist Church.
Elsie had many loves: God, family, teaching, crossword puzzles, pork rinds, and Ferrero Rocher candy. She designed dresses for her daughters that were beautiful. There was nothing she couldn’t do.
She is preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Matthews, Jr., her son, Joseph David Matthews, III, and her brother, Joe Vause. She is survived by her daughters Nannette (Larry), Roxanne(Doug), her grandchildren Wade and Caitlan Matthews, Brian Borgatti, Wes and Paige Barrier, her sister, Margaret Ard, and many extended family members.
Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Bethany Cemetery, Hwy 301, Olanta, SC, directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.
Due to the current COVID-19 concerns, social distancing will be observed.
Please sign the tribute wall for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.