Martha Elizabeth Matthews

Funeral services for Martha Matthews, age 91, of Bedford, who died Monday, November 14, 2011 at Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center will be held Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation will be Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Bedford. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Martha Elizabeth Matthews was born September 23, 1920, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She was one of four children (two boys and two girls) born to William Frederick Matthews and Margaret (Douglass) Matthews. She grew up attending school, graduating from Bethel High School in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania. After graduation, Martha went to work as a telephone switchboard operator for Bell Telephone Company. A position she enjoyed and held for many years.

Martha moved to Taylor County, Iowa from Washington County, Pennsylvania to be near her brother in 1976. She moved onto the family farm south of Bedford and lived there until her retirement when they moved into Bedford. Martha enjoyed reading and traveling to see relatives. She possessed a good sense of humor and often was very quick witted. Although Martha never married or had children of her own, she loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. She especially enjoyed reading to them when they were younger. She was a member of the United Christian Presbyterian Church and the Thursday Club.

Left to cherish Martha's memory are her two brothers, David Leroy Matthews and William Calvin Matthews; along with many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceding Martha in death are her parents William Frederick and Margaret Matthews; a sister, Mary Cabeen and brother-in-law, Richard Cabeen; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Matthews.

Although Martha will be greatly missed, her love and inspiration will live on through her family.