Rayburn Eugene Matthews Sr., age 79 of Douglasville, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022.
Rayburn was born August 12, 1943, in Pisgah, Alabama, the son of the late Alonzo “Lon” and Era Matthews of Pisgah, Alabama. Rayburn graduated from Pisgah High School and joined the U.S. Navy at 18 years old. He served active duty for 9 ½ years on several ships during the Vietnam era and earned an honorable discharge at Norfolk, Virginia in November 1968. After his discharge, he went to work as a machinist in Norfolk, Virginia. He relocated to Winter Park, Florida in 1974 and started an Appliance Service business. After 20 years, he relocated to Douglasville, Georgia and went to work as a Contract Compliance Specialist for the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission in Atlanta, where he retired January 1, 2015. Rayburn was very proud of his service to the United States, had a great sense of humor, and loved the Lord and his family wholeheartedly.
In addition to his parents, Rayburn was also predeceased by a sister Geralene (Matthews) Thomas and a brother Billy J. Matthews.
Rayburn is survived by his lovely wife of 57 years Janice Lee Fox Matthews; daughters Donna V. Matthews Mann (Vic) and Cindy R. Spooner (James Jr.); sons Douglas D. Matthews, Rayburn E. Matthews Jr., and Raymond J. Matthews; grandchildren Christina L. Miller (Robert), James O. Spooner III, Luke R. Spooner (Guadalupe), Joseph O. Spooner, Rachael F. Spooner, Rebekah H. Spooner, and Sarah R.L. Spooner; and great grandchild Luke R. Spooner Jr.