George Wesley Matthews, 102 GREENWOOD - Former African American Educator George Wesley Matthews, age 102, born March 10, 1908, in Greenwood, to the late George H. Matthews and Mary Florence Bailey Matthews, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2010, at his residence in Greenwood, after a long illness. He became a member of Graham AME Church in Greenwood at an early age. Mr. Matthews was educated at the Bridgeville-Greenwood public schools. He attended Delaware State College and Hampton Institute Agricultural. After graduating, he began his 36-year teaching career with the State of Delaware. He taught Science and Biology at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Laurel; Science and Biology at William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown; and Vocational Agriculture at Sussex Vocational Technical School in Georgetown. His awards and accomplishments include 36-years of service to the State of Delaware and 35-years of service to the Future Farmers of America (FFA). He received the 1974 Teacher of the Year award for Sussex Vocational School, a 1981 Meritorious and Distinguished Service Certificate from Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1988 Appreciation Award from Delaware State College Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. Upon retiring, he stated that "36 years of service is not too long to be working with the children of Sussex County." As a member of Graham AME Church, he was very active until his illness in 1999. Mr. Matthews loved Graham, and served on the Trustee Board, Building Fund Committee, and the Cemetery Committee. He received a Plaque of Appreciation on April 8, 1984, and a Plaque of Honor for many years of dedication and faithful service on March 14, 2010. His many years of service are evident throughout the history of Graham, and the community of Greenwood. In addition to his parents, Mr. Matthews was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Catherine Banks Matthews; and daughter and long-time caregiver, Rosalind Matthews Leatherbury. Mr. Matthews is survived by daughter, Yvonne Matthews Anthony; son-in-law, Henry H. "Tony" Anthony (Greenwood); a niece, whom he raised as his first daughter, Dorena Savage (Seaford); granddaughter and grandson, Cynthia L. West and Rev. Damon West (Baltimore); granddaughter, Kimberly Y. Branson (Milford); grandson, Jarvis Branson (Jackson, Miss.); seven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Carlton Banks Sr.; and many other relatives, former students, and friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, at Graham AME Church, 107 N 1st St., Greenwood, where friends may call two hours prior to the service. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Concord. Professional services courtesy of Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Services, Laurel. E-mail condolences to: Amberharris8604@peoplepc.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the Graham AME Church Building; or Cemetery Fund c/o Roland Fooks Sr.