Mr. Raymond Gene Matthews, Sr., 88, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2026, at his home in China Grove.

A funeral is scheduled for 11:00 am Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Jon Harless will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Salisbury National Cemetery.

The service will also be streamed live at www.ladysfuneralhome.com/live.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:45 am Thursday at Lady's Funeral Home.

Raymond was born November 25, 1937 in Washington, DC. He was a son of the late Samuel Matthews and Rachel May Buneal Matthews. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in 1964 after more than nine years of dedicated service, attaining the rank of Boatswain’s Mate Third Class. Following his military service, he worked faithfully for many years with Macke Laundry Service and later at Whitley’s Car Wash. Raymond was a devoted member of Franklin Heights Baptist Church, where he served as both a deacon and a teller. Known for his warm and welcoming nature, Raymond never met a stranger and was always ready to share a kind word or friendly conversation with anyone he met.

Raymond is survived by wife, Sylvia Lorraine Matthews; two daughters, Lorrie Simpson (David) of China Grove and Cathy Trudeau (David) of Landis; son, Raymond Gene Matthews, Jr. (Leslie) of China Grove; brother, John Matthews of Front Royal, VA; five grandchildren, Bradley Matthews (Madyson), Kaylee Matthews, Hannah Simpson, Abby Simpson and Jessie Simpson; and two great grandchildren, Mavery Matthews and Meyer Matthews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to VIA Health Partners, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247.