Ginger Lee Matthews

Ginger Lee Matthews, 76, of Henderson, N.C., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 20, 1948, to Robert “Bob” and Ethel “Lorene” West in Muskogee, Okla. She married Thomas “Tom” James Matthews, and together they raised their three daughters. 

Ginger was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her the most, offering support, wisdom and an abundance of love. Many family nights were spent playing folk songs, with Ginger on the piano and Tom on the banjo, while their daughters danced circles around them. This love of music also included square dancing with friends.

A lover of nature, she found peace in a sunrise coffee with family and friends and sitting on the lakeshore watching her grandchildren play. Ginger found beauty in life’s simple moments and encouraged us all to do the same. Their farm allowed her to enjoy her passion for horses and talent for gardening. To know her was to love her — she had a kind and welcoming heart along with an unwavering spirit that will forever be remembered.

Ginger’s legacy of love lives on through her mother Lorene West of Muskogee, Oklahoma; daughters Shandra Botts (husband Jason) of Durham, Terri Stevens of Youngsville, and Cynthia Downs (husband Ryan) of Waynesville; grandchildren Kaili Bessell (husband Elliott) of Charlotte, Logan Stevens of Youngsville, Colin Botts of Durham, Hannah Downs of Waynesville, Mya Downs of Waynesville, and Hailey Downs of Waynesville; great-granddaughter Evie Bessell of Charlotte; brother Scott Daniels (wife Michelle) of Broken Arrow, OK; and her late husband Tom’s family in Colorado and California.

Ginger was preceded in death by her father, Bob West; her husband, Tom Matthews; her brother James Michael West; and her son-in-law William Robert "Bill" Stevens.

A time for remembrance and visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm, Saturday afternoon, July 13, 2024 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), a cause close to Ginger's heart, at  www.breakthrought1d.org.

Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587, (919-556-7400).

www.cswfuneralhome.com