Dr. Elizabeth W Matthews

Elizabeth W. Matthews, age 92, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2019 in Reflections Memory Care, Carterville, where she was a resident since 2014. Prior to that, she had lived in Carbondale since 1964. She was born July 30, 1927 in Ashland, Virginia to Edwin Clifton and Elizabeth L. Woodin. She married Sidney E. Matthews on December 20, 1947 at her parent’s home in Ashland and they shared 70 years of marriage until his death on October 29, 2018. She graduated with a B.A. degree from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA in 1948; MS degree in Library Science from University of Illinois in 1952; a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1989; and an Honorary LLD from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA in 1989. Her library career began at the Virginia State Library in Richmond, VA in 1948, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Ohio State University, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA; and in 1964 she accepted a position at Morris Library, SIU-Carbondale. She was a catalog librarian and instructor and became an Assistant Professor in 1972. From 1974 until 1990, Dr. Matthews continued as a catalog librarian and Assistant Professor at the Lesar Law School Library, SIU-C. She retired in 1992 as Preservation and Special Projects Librarian and Professor. Dr. Matthews was active in many professional associations including American Library Association, American Association of Law Libraries, and the Post-Doctoral Academy of Higher Education. She was involved locally with American Association of University Women and Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast. She published several books and numerous articles with topics ranging from technical cataloging to genealogy and short stores. She was recognized in several Who’s Who publications and received the Delta Award from Morris Library for “Notable Work and Publication in the Field of Library Science” in 1990. Her other interests included astronomy, genealogy, piano, organ and travel; having traveled to all 50 states and 56 international countries. She had been a member of First United Methodist Church, Carbondale since 1964. Dr. Matthews is survived by her daughter, Sarah E. Matthews (Sam Morgan) of North Fort Myers, FL; two grandsons, Matthew E. (Vanessa) Wiley of Brooklyn, NY and Michael E. Wiley (Laura DeTardo) of Jupiter, FL; and a host of friends. She is predeceased by her parents and husband. Visitation will be Friday, August 23, 2019 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm in Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home. Funeral Services for Dr. Elizabeth Matthews will be Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 11:00 am in Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home with Pastor Howard White. Interment will follow at the Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, IL.

Dr. Elizabeth W Matthews

July 30, 1927 - August 17, 2019