Dorothy "Dot" Deitz Matthews

Dorothy (Dot) Deitz Matthews died on October 13, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Winston-Salem.

A funeral service will be held at Fair Funeral Home, 432 Boone Road, Eden, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16. Prior to the service, at 10 a.m., the family will receive friends at the funeral home. An internment will follow at El Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 2515 Price Road, Eden.

She was born in Sylva in 1933, the daughter of the late Hoyle and Inez Deitz. After graduating from Western Carolina University in 1955, Dot moved to Leaksville, now Eden, to begin her teaching career, one that would span 31 years. She taught English and Spanish at Tri-City High School, Leaksville-Spray Junior High and J.E. Holmes Junior High School. She often mused that she'd taught several generations during her tenure. Dot was a member of two professional organizations for educators: ADK and the Retired Teachers of Rockingham County. She also was a member of a Thursday Evening Study Club

Surviving family members include her husband of 59 years, Harold W. Matthews Jr.; son, Edward R. Matthews of Atlanta, Ga., his wife, Laura, and their children Charlotte, Crosby and Campton Matthews; son-in-law, Bruce Nooe, of Eden and his children Caroline and Bennet Nooe. Dot is also survived by sister, Kate Welch, of Bryson City, and nephews John, Mark and Gregg Welch; brother-in-law, Jimmy Matthews, and his wife, Betty, and nephew Mike Matthews.

Dot was preceded in death by her daughter, Cheryl Matthews Nooe.

. Memorials may be made in Dot's memory to The Salvation Army, 314 Morgan Road, Eden, and to First Presbyterian Church, 582 Southwood Drive, Eden.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com