Estivaun (Hutchinson) Matthews

Estivaun Matthews, 90, Gallipolis, passed away Thursday February 26, 2009 at Holzer Assisted Living, Gallipolis. She was born August 5, 1918 daughter of the late John and Daisy Frederick Hutchinson. She married Billy Blaine Matthews August 25, 1940 at Russell, Kentucky and he preceded her in death July 4, 2001.

She was a graduate of Vinton High School, then received a B.S. Degree in Education from Rio Grande College and attended Ohio University, Miami University, and Capital University. Education meant a lot to Estivaun and she wanted to be a teacher all of her life. She continued to teach for 32 years as a public school teacher and a Reading Specialist at Rio Grande College for four years.

Estivaun attended the First Baptist Church, Gallipolis where she served as a teacher for 31 years and was a member of the choir for 30 years. She was a member of the following organizations: French Colony Chapter DAR, where she served as Vice Regent and Regent; Huntington Grange; Eastern Star; First Families, Gallia County; First Families, Ohio; Waldschmidt House 100 Club; Civil War Families of Gallia County and Ohio; Life Member of the Gallia County Historical Society, where she served as President for three years and Co-chaired a committee to honor veterans, displaying their pictures in the Gallia County Historical Society; Life Member of Ohio Retired Teachers; Life Member of Gallia County Retired Teachers, where she served as Secretary; Life Member of the DAR Hobby Club, where she served as President; Life Member of OSDAR Officers' Club and Builders and Settlers of Gallia County.

She was an avid volunteer and enjoyed serving as President of Washington PTA; Gallipolis Recreation Board, Secretary, 13 years; Ohio Valley Christian School Governing Board, 9 years; GAHS Band Boosters, President; Gallipolis Education Association, President; OSDAR State School Chairman, 3 years; OSDAR State Scholarship, Chairman, 3 years; OSDAR Waldschmidt Trustee, 6 years; Kate Duncan DAR School, Alabama, Trustee, 3 years; Tamassee DAR School, South Carolina, Advisory Board, 6 years; Gallipolis City School Board Issue, Co-Chairman, Bond Issue, 1957 and Tri-Chairman, Bond Issue, 1997; 1995 World Special Olympics World Games, Connecticut, 1995; Atwood Club, President, 2 years; Candidate for Maestro for a Moment, 2002; Lambert Lands Preservation Society, Co-Chairman; Tri-author of "One Room Schools in Gallia County, The Cradle Years."

Estivaun received a National Award at the NSDAR Continental Congress on April, 1990, in Washington D.C. for her project, "A Mile of Pennies for our Schools." She also received an award for "Promoting Black History" during Black History Month February 1998 and she was the Gallia County Historical Society "Person of the Year", 2004.

She is survived by two sons: John "Sam" Matthews and Jack "Beep" (Cheryl) Matthews; grandchildren: Michael (Becky) Matthews, Meghan Matthews, Jeremy (Marcia) Matthews, Erinn Matthews, Jill Matthews, Michael (Jenny) Pleiman and Alan Pleiman; two great-grandchildren: Andrew Michael Matthews and Quinn Ayers Matthews; nephew, Clyde (Rosemary) Evans, Rio Grande, Ohio; four nieces: Marilyn Long, Cincinnati, Ohio; Connie Long Matre, Conroe, Texas; Pennie Long Diveley, Dallas, Texas and Mary Evans Evans, Granville, Ohio and brother-in-law, Dan Evans, Vinton, Ohio.

She was preceded by four Sisters and one brother, Reva Hutchinson Evans, Ruth Hutchinson Long Evans, John Benjamin Hutchinson, Ruby Hutchinson McGhee and Dorothy Hutchinson as well as two nephews, Bill Long and Melville Chamberlain.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, March 2, 2009 at First Baptist Church, 1100 4th Ave, Gallipolis, Ohio with Pastor Alvis Pollard and Rev. John Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Vinton Memorial Park, Vinton, Ohio. Friends may call at McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, 420 First Ave, Gallipolis Sunday 2:00-6:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to:
The Gallia County Historical Society
412 2nd Ave.
Gallipolis, OH 45631
or
Ohio Valley Christian School
1100 4th Ave
Gallipolis, OH 45631