Mrs. Brenda Willis Matthews

The life of Mrs. Brenda Willis Matthews will be celebrated on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at 11:00a.m. with a Catholic funeral service at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville, Louisiana. Brenda was born on Sunday, September 15, 1957, and died at her home in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
For 42 years, Brenda was the devoted wife of Howard Travis Matthews, Sr., both life-long residents of Abbeville, Louisiana. She was the cherished mother of four: Howard T. Matthews, Jr. (Jeneria) stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Raven Nicole Matthews (Hilton) of Abbeville, Louisiana; Altamie Matthews Lewis (Velmont Jr.) of Biloxi, Mississippi; and Kelvin Matthews of Morgan City, Louisiana. She was the grandmother of eleven: Howard's — Jade, Haley, D'Juan, Daleah, and Zoe Matthews; Raven's — Simone, Isaiah, and Keena Pillette; Altamie's — Jeremiah and Josiah Matthews; and Kelvin's — Kylan Matthews.
She also leaves to treasure her memory: her sisters — Mary Lee Thompson of Abbeville, Louisiana; Rose Nunez (Robert Sr.) of Houston, Texas; Alberta Rice (Hayward Sr.) of Houston, Texas; Pamela Anderson of Houston, Texas; one brother Floyd Rice Jr. of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law Eva Bessard of Abbeville, Louisiana; three brothers-in-law — Ernest Matthews, Jr. (Orelia), Andrew Matthews (Barbara), and Menson Matthews all of Abbeville, Louisiana; and one aunt Iris Rice Britton of Pearland, Texas. She was godmother to Lytonda James, Kamanya "Tootsie" Greene, and Carlton Williams. She will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother Rosa Belle Willis and father Floyd Rice Sr.; mother—in­law Hilda Lewis and her husband Percy Lewis; and her father-in-law Ernest Matthews, Sr.
Also preceding her in death were her brother Hubert Bessard, Sr., her sister-in-law Sophie Matthews Lopez; and her brother-in-law Albert Thompson.
Brenda was a devout Catholic who dedicated her life to service. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was previously a member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church Parish where she completed R.C.I.A., took part in a Cursillo, and remained active with Ultreyas. Brenda was also an avid supporter of Catholic family life and a member of the Carmelite Order because of her desire for a closer union with God. Most recently, Brenda worked as the office manager and paralegal at Matthews Law & Mediation, LLC. Her beautiful smile, cheerful disposition, sweet spirit and selflessness will be missed by many.
Visitation will be held from 7:00a.m. until 10:00a.m. at Kinchen Funeral Home in Abbeville, Louisiana. Thereafter, there will be a rosary at 10:20a.m., followed by Catholic funeral mass at 11:00a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. Interment will be at Rudd-Hill Cemetery off of Prairie Ave. in Abbeville. The celebration of her life will close with a repast at St. Theresa's Holy Family Center.
Kinchen Funeral Home Inc., 1011 North Saint Antoine Street, Lafayette LA 70501 is in charge of arrangements.