"Cammie and children?what a wonderful lady you have to always consider as your guiding angel from above! I am sorry for your loss and know you dearly loved and cherished Roberta. I had many positive interactions with her and even when the circumstances were challenging she always handled them with dignity. God bless you all. ?Mrs.? Beth Kirsch"
In loving memory of
Roberta "Berta" Matthews
July 2, 1947 - February 16, 2024
Roberta "Berta" Kay Matthews, 76, of Washington, Indiana, passed away while at the St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, in the early morning hours of Friday, February 16, 2024.
Roberta was born in Washington, Indiana, July 2, 1947, to William Arnold and Mary Eloise (McGuire) Greene. She was a member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Washington and a 1965 graduate of Washington Catholic High School.
She married the love of her life, Dennis Michael Matthews, on August 22, 1970. Roberta spent many years of her life as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Daviess County Community YMCA, where she greatly enjoyed befriending members of the community. In her later years, Roberta enjoyed working as a door greeter for the local Walmart Supercenter.
To have known Roberta was to have loved her. With an open heart, she effortlessly befriended most people she met and extended a helping hand as needed, regardless of her own challenges. Roberta lived most of her adult life with severe pain due to Rheumatoid Arthritis, but she never let that break her spirit and she always had a smile on her face. Roberta always offered a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. Standing at only 4 feet 11 inches tall, Roberta was small, but mighty, and had a heart ten times the size of her body.
Roberta is survived by her three daughters: Denise (Jeff) Brawley, Cammie (Porter) Noble, and Erin (Shawn) Purdue; brothers: William "Bill" (Kathy) Greene, and James (Lynn) Greene; sister: Phyllis (Greene) Cox; sixteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a community that loved her dearly.
Roberta will shed the constraints of her earthly body and dance freely with her family in heaven. She will be reunited with the love of her life, Dennis Matthews; her parents, Mary and William Greene; her sisters, Sharron Bybee and Sandra Englehart; grandson, Brendan Purdue; and other friends and family members who have preceded her in death.
Visitation for Roberta Kay Matthews will be 3:00-8:00 pm, Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Ed L. Lee Mortuary, 620 East Viola Avenue, Washington, Indiana. NOTE: The first hour of the visitation time (3:00-4:00 pm) is reserved for the family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Roberta Kay Matthews, 10:00 am, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 315 NE 3rd Street, Washington, Indiana. Father Paul Ferguson will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. John Cemetery in Loogootee, Indiana.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.edleemortuary.com. The staff of the Ed Lee Mortuary was honored to have been entrusted with arrangements for Roberta Matthews.
Tributes
"I grew up having Berta as a second mother. I was always amazed at the fact that even when I was a little girl, Berta was always in pain with her arthritis, but I never once heard her complain about it. Often times I would stay the night with Erin, and we would end up in bed with Berta. Berta always treated me as one of her own children as she did with most of the children that spent time with her. She always made you feel welcome, taught you life lessons, encouraged you and also loved you. Her daughters have now turned into women who model her behavior. Even though we don't see each other a lot, I consider them my bonus sisters. I talked to my mom last night and we were reminiscing the Tieman Street days and I asked mom if she remembered how long their phone cord was...longest phone cord I have ever seen. I'm sure Roberta would've chuckled along with us over that. I will never forget the love Roberta showed me and I I also will never forget her. She for sure was a Saint. To my bonus sisters: I love you all and if there's anything I can do even if it's just a listening ear, I will always be there for you. All my love and prayers to you girls and your families."
"I can still see you in your big car sitting on a pillow and also one behind you while we cruised the streets of Washington back in the day. Love you Berta cruising your way right into heavens light ?"
"Berta was like having a second mom! I will miss seeing your beautiful smile and you telling me you love me each and every time I saw you! Fly free Berta! Heaven gained a beautiful light today??"