Willa Joan Matthews

Willa Matthews, always known to everyone as Billie Jo, passed away on Christmas Eve (December 24th) morning at the age of 91.Billie Jo always said she wanted to live to be 100, but she also believed in setting high goals in all aspects of life. When asked what she wanted for her 91st birthday this year, she kept answering “Time.” Time is the one thing we all know has its limits and I think she knew hers was almost over, but one will not meet many people who lived a fuller life than Billie Jo.From my earliest memories, I noticed about my mother was always getting involved with things in the community. I also noticed that she would rise to the top of any organization she was involved in. When I was in grammar school, I remember her coming on some of the field trips my class would take to Raleigh, Richmond, the mountains or anywhere else we could drive to in a day, occasionally two. She carried a whistle and the other kids had to respect her. She got their attention. I remember that she was heavily involved with the YMCA and was teaching classes there in swimming, exercise, yoga etc. Supposedly, that’s where the whistle came from.When Tom was elected to the State House, Billie Jo got involved in the Sir Walter Cabinet, which is an organization of spouses of legislators. She did become very influential very fast, rising to a leadership role in less than 2 years. Later on, she volunteered with East Carolina University, eventually becoming head of the library board.In Rocky Mount, she was involved in the (Evening) Pilot Club, and she spent many years as president of that civic organization and helped grow its size and influence in this area. She traveled all over the state and she was very involved in the structuring of the Pilot Club rules and formal regulations.She eventually became involved in genealogy and after researching her own families, she founded the Nash County Genealogical Society. As that club increased its sphere of influence, she was instrumental in founding the club’s long-running newsletter, Tar River Connections. She ran the newsletter for many years, and the other years she was heavily involved in its production and editing.Billie Jo was instrumental in getting a genealogy and history room established at the Rocky Mount Library, but Billie Jo was also involved in Rocky Mount getting a new, bigger version of Braswell Library. After the big, public effort with the Library, Billie Jo retired to her home office, where she made books of pictures, articles, and texts about various aspects of local history or of either side of our family. She enjoyed making picture books when the grandchildren were small, and she was always productive.She is mostly remembered for her role in the community as the supportive wife of Judge Tom H. Matthews. She had a bachelor’s degree in teaching from UNC-Greensboro, but like most other supportive wives of the day, she left her teaching career to become a full-time homemaker for Tom and raise their daughter Tammy. I know firsthand that she excelled in that role and she was also full of joy in everything she did, especially when she had a chance to help other people.Her mother, Wille Mae Deatherage and her father, Raymond Johnson Works, had come to North Carolina from Kentucky. Billie Jo had three siblings, Margaret Works Threatt Winters, Evelyn Works Raynor and Raymond Johnson Works Jr. Her siblings are long gone and left behind too many loving nieces and nephews to name them all here. She’s had many pets over the years, but her childhood horse Half-Pint, special cat Boots and cherished dog Cambell deserve to be mentioned here.After losing her husband, The Honorable Judge Tom H. Matthews in 2014, Billie Jo continued to live alone in their home near City Lake in West Haven, although she received daily visits from her daughter Tammy, who lived right down the street in West Haven. Tammy came to live with Billie Jo in 2020, and in 2021 Tammy’s spouse Michelle moved in, along with stepdaughter Ava and stepson Andy. Billie Jo was at her cherished home with her loving family when she passed peacefully on the morning of Christmas Eve.In addition to the family members already mentioned, Billie Jo also leaves behind 3 step-grandsons Matt, Brandon and Andy Vincent and step granddaughters Ava and Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a daughter, Charlotte, and son Luke. This is the generation that made Billie Jo a great grandmother. Just as she adopted her daughter Tammy, she chose to bring love into her life.A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Jody Wright officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM prior to the service in the parlor of Johnson Funeral Home.Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.