James Eugene MATTHEWS^{[1, 2, 3]}

1934 - 2015  (81 years)

• Name	James Eugene MATTHEWS  [4, 5]
  Birth	1934	Sanford, North Carolina
  Gender	Male
  HIST	JAMES E. MATTHEWS Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2015 6:00 am James Eugene Matthews, 80, husband of Annette Hill Matthews, died on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at the Lexington Medical Center in Lexington. Born in Sanford, North Carolina, he was a son of the late James Daniel and Harriett Virginia Durant Matthews. Following his being awarded a bachelor of science in architecture in 1957, he received a bachelor of arts in architecture from Clemson College in 1958. Gene was licensed to practice in North Carolina and South Carolina, and he was associated with the Sumter firm of James, Durant, Matthews, and Shelley Inc. His many years of service with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners culminated with his chairmanship in 2004. The City of Sumter was the beneficiary of his selfless service as chairman of the Planning Commission. He served with the South Carolina Health System Agency, Pee Dee Regional Health Agency, and South Carolina Health Coordinating Council. His devotion to health care culminated with his chairmanship of the Council of Aging. He was a loyal churchman, having served as trustee chairman of Trinity United Methodist Church. Gene was a graduate of the Palmetto Military Academy and was an officer with the South Carolina National Guard. His Rotary membership spanned more than 32 years. Gene's skill as an architect can be seen in many churches to include Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Alice Drive Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Mayesville Presbyterian Church, and his own house of worship, Trinity United Methodist Church of Sumter. His work with the Sumter County Courthouse renovations, Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County Mental Health Center, Sumter's Patriot Hall auditorium, the Sumter Gallery of Art, and the USC Sumter Administration Building will long stand as memories of his love for Sumter. Gene's work can be seen in the current Sumter High School, Alice Drive Elementary, Willow Drive Elementary, Bates Middle School, and two career schools in Sumter County. Hampton County counts six schools of his design while Union High School and Woodruff Elementary were constructed pursuant to his designs. His expertise in the design of health care facilities can be seen at Covenant Place in Sumter, Bethea Baptist Home, Pee Dee Manor of South Carolina, and three campuses of Presbyterian Homes in Summerville, Columbia and Clinton. Many South Carolinians have enjoyed more than 80 homes of his design. Surviving are his wife, Annette; two sons, Dan (Lynn) of Camden and Eugene (Beth) of Columbia; five grandchildren, Roland, Elizabeth Anne, Hamilton, Madison and Meg Matthews; one sister, Susan of Kingsport, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, Henry P. Moore of Pawleys Island; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Wyatt Matthews Moore; and a brother-in-law, David Pond. Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Trinity United Methodist Church with Dr. Steve Holler and the Rev. Angela Marshall officiating and Donald Edwin Huss, organist. The family will receive friends following the service and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150; Sumter Gallery of Art, 200 Hasel St., Sumter, SC 29150; or Clemson University School of Architecture, AIA Student Chapter, Lee Hall, Clemson, SC 29634. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements. JAMES MATTHEWS 1934 - 2015 ‘He was a gentleman architect’ Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2015 6:00 am James Eugene "Gene" Matthews, 80, a local architect, who had designed numerous churches, schools, a courthouse and many other buildings throughout the state, died on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Lexington Medical Center. Matthews was the husband of Annette Hill Matthews, and had two sons, Dan and Eugene Matthews, and five grandchildren. Gen. (Ret.) Hugh McLaurin, his best friend, described him as an "architect's architect." "He had an eye for perfection and was a brother I never had," said McLaurin. "He was a true Southern gentleman. He was straight as an arrow." McLaurin and Matthews met as college students at Clemson University and became life-long friends. McLaurin said some of the things he really enjoyed were fly fishing and visiting museums. Matthews was born and raised in Sanford, North Carolina. He received a bachelor of science and a bachelor of arts in architecture from Clemson University in 1957 and 1958, respectively. Matthews worked at the firm of James, Durant, Matthews and Shelley Inc. in Sumter. Danny Shelley was a partner of his at the firm for more than 36 years. "Gene lived and breathed architecture," said Shelley. "He was a gentleman architect, talented designer and very detail oriented and thorough in his drawings and everything he did." Shelley said Matthews had the respect of the contractors he worked with and had many faithful clients. Locally, his work also included the Sumter County Courthouse renovations, Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County Mental Health Center, Sumter's Patriot Hall auditorium, the Sumter Gallery of Art and the USC Sumter Administration Building. He also designed health care facilities, including Covenant Place in Sumter, and more than 80 homes. "He was a delightful friend, who had a God-given talent which he put to good use," said Charles McCreight, a local architect who had known him for more than 30 years. Glenn Ayers was also one of Matthews's close friends. "Gene was a very open, kind, generous, helpful and creative person, not only in architecture but in many things," he said. "He was very conscientious and meant a lot to the community." Ayers said Matthews served on many advisory groups to improve the quality of life in the area. Matthews also served on the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners, and was a former chairman. He was an officer with the South Carolina National Guard, and a Rotarian for more than 32 years. Memorial services will be held today at 4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Holler and the Rev. Angela Marshall officiating and Donald Edwin Huss playing the organ. The family will receive friends after the service and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150; Sumter Gallery of Art, 200 Hasel St., Sumter, SC 29150; or Clemson University School of Architecture, AIA Student Chapter, Lee Hall, Clemson, SC 29634. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements. — Konstantin Vengerowsky  [4, 5]
  HIST	JAMES E. MATTHEWS Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2015 6:00 am James Eugene Matthews, 80, husband of Annette Hill Matthews, died on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at the Lexington Medical Center in Lexington. Born in Sanford, North Carolina, he was a son of the late James Daniel and Harriett Virginia Durant Matthews. Following his being awarded a bachelor of science in architecture in 1957, he received a bachelor of arts in architecture from Clemson College in 1958. Gene was licensed to practice in North Carolina and South Carolina, and he was associated with the Sumter firm of James, Durant, Matthews, and Shelley Inc. His many years of service with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners culminated with his chairmanship in 2004. The City of Sumter was the beneficiary of his selfless service as chairman of the Planning Commission. He served with the South Carolina Health System Agency, Pee Dee Regional Health Agency, and South Carolina Health Coordinating Council. His devotion to health care culminated with his chairmanship of the Council of Aging. He was a loyal churchman, having served as trustee chairman of Trinity United Methodist Church. Gene was a graduate of the Palmetto Military Academy and was an officer with the South Carolina National Guard. His Rotary membership spanned more than 32 years. Gene's skill as an architect can be seen in many churches to include Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Alice Drive Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Mayesville Presbyterian Church, and his own house of worship, Trinity United Methodist Church of Sumter. His work with the Sumter County Courthouse renovations, Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County Mental Health Center, Sumter's Patriot Hall auditorium, the Sumter Gallery of Art, and the USC Sumter Administration Building will long stand as memories of his love for Sumter. Gene's work can be seen in the current Sumter High School, Alice Drive Elementary, Willow Drive Elementary, Bates Middle School, and two career schools in Sumter County. Hampton County counts six schools of his design while Union High School and Woodruff Elementary were constructed pursuant to his designs. His expertise in the design of health care facilities can be seen at Covenant Place in Sumter, Bethea Baptist Home, Pee Dee Manor of South Carolina, and three campuses of Presbyterian Homes in Summerville, Columbia and Clinton. Many South Carolinians have enjoyed more than 80 homes of his design. Surviving are his wife, Annette; two sons, Dan (Lynn) of Camden and Eugene (Beth) of Columbia; five grandchildren, Roland, Elizabeth Anne, Hamilton, Madison and Meg Matthews; one sister, Susan of Kingsport, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, Henry P. Moore of Pawleys Island; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Wyatt Matthews Moore; and a brother-in-law, David Pond. Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Trinity United Methodist Church with Dr. Steve Holler and the Rev. Angela Marshall officiating and Donald Edwin Huss, organist. The family will receive friends following the service and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150; Sumter Gallery of Art, 200 Hasel St., Sumter, SC 29150; or Clemson University School of Architecture, AIA Student Chapter, Lee Hall, Clemson, SC 29634. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements. JAMES MATTHEWS 1934 - 2015 ‘He was a gentleman architect’ Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2015 6:00 am James Eugene "Gene" Matthews, 80, a local architect, who had designed numerous churches, schools, a courthouse and many other buildings throughout the state, died on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Lexington Medical Center. Matthews was the husband of Annette Hill Matthews, and had two sons, Dan and Eugene Matthews, and five grandchildren. Gen. (Ret.) Hugh McLaurin, his best friend, described him as an "architect's architect." "He had an eye for perfection and was a brother I never had," said McLaurin. "He was a true Southern gentleman. He was straight as an arrow." McLaurin and Matthews met as college students at Clemson University and became life-long friends. McLaurin said some of the things he really enjoyed were fly fishing and visiting museums. Matthews was born and raised in Sanford, North Carolina. He received a bachelor of science and a bachelor of arts in architecture from Clemson University in 1957 and 1958, respectively. Matthews worked at the firm of James, Durant, Matthews and Shelley Inc. in Sumter. Danny Shelley was a partner of his at the firm for more than 36 years. "Gene lived and breathed architecture," said Shelley. "He was a gentleman architect, talented designer and very detail oriented and thorough in his drawings and everything he did." Shelley said Matthews had the respect of the contractors he worked with and had many faithful clients. Locally, his work also included the Sumter County Courthouse renovations, Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County Mental Health Center, Sumter's Patriot Hall auditorium, the Sumter Gallery of Art and the USC Sumter Administration Building. He also designed health care facilities, including Covenant Place in Sumter, and more than 80 homes. "He was a delightful friend, who had a God-given talent which he put to good use," said Charles McCreight, a local architect who had known him for more than 30 years. Glenn Ayers was also one of Matthews's close friends. "Gene was a very open, kind, generous, helpful and creative person, not only in architecture but in many things," he said. "He was very conscientious and meant a lot to the community." Ayers said Matthews served on many advisory groups to improve the quality of life in the area. Matthews also served on the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners, and was a former chairman. He was an officer with the South Carolina National Guard, and a Rotarian for more than 32 years. Memorial services will be held today at 4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Holler and the Rev. Angela Marshall officiating and Donald Edwin Huss playing the organ. The family will receive friends after the service and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150; Sumter Gallery of Art, 200 Hasel St., Sumter, SC 29150; or Clemson University School of Architecture, AIA Student Chapter, Lee Hall, Clemson, SC 29634. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements. — Konstantin Vengerowsky
  _UID	8421BB65F4C04BD0BE7AD4F99A11D5FC15D4
  _UID	8421BB65F4C04BD0BE7AD4F99A11D5FC15D4
  Death	15 Aug 2015	Lexington Medical Center, Lexington County, South Carolina
  Burial	19 Aug 2015	a memorial service was held at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sumter, South Carolina   [4]
  	Elmore-Hill-McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, Sumter, South Carolina Elmore-Hill-McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, Sumter, South Carolina
  Person ID	I303338	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	27 Nov 2023

  
  

  Father	James Daniel MATTHEWS   d. Bef 15 Aug 2015
  Mother	Harriett Firginia DURANT   d. Bef 15 Aug 2015
  _UID	39617610995E48689F796747BFDF2E5DB697
  _UID	39617610995E48689F796747BFDF2E5DB697
  Family ID	F203334	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Annette Jeter HILL
  _UID	E4936626CE9E49FA8FC0097341B551AE7215
  _UID	E4936626CE9E49FA8FC0097341B551AE7215
  Children	1. Daniel Hill “Dan” MATTHEWS   2. Eugene Hamiliton “Gene” MATTHEWS, Sr.
  Family ID	F203333	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	19 Aug 2015

  
  

• Sources

  [S26757] Sumter Volunteer’s names 3 to Women’s Honor Roll. [S28061] Matthews-Garrison. [S31409] Debutantes - The Les Trente Club. [S22935] James E. Matthews. [S22938] James Matthews - 1934-2015 ‘He was a gentleman architect’.