Matthews, Helen Anderson
Helen Anderson Matthews, 91, died at her home in Blacksburg, Virginia, on April 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Helen was born in Claudville, Virginia, on April 19, 1934, to Samuel Harvey Anderson and Bessie Love Anderson. She was preceded in death by both her parents, by her husband of 56 years, William Boyden Matthews Jr., and by her two brothers, Charles Anderson and Louis Anderson.
A bright and creative child, Helen spent much of her early life helping out on her parents’ Patrick County, Virginia, tobacco farm before school and during the hot summers. For the rest of her life she would tell stories about gathering wood for the wood stove to cook breakfast and planting, hoeing, priming, and harvesting tobacco in the fields as a young girl. These stories fascinated the grandchildren and convinced them of the value and importance of hard work, dedication, and overcoming adversity.
Helen attended Blue Ridge High School in Ararat, Virginia, where she played basketball and softball. There she met and fell in love with William Matthews, an outstanding Future Farmer of America, who also lived on a farm in Patrick County. He had been offered a scholarship to Virginia Tech (then VPI), and she was offered one to Radford College (now RU). Eventually, Helen chose to raise a family while William pursued his education, and they married, moved to Blacksburg, and never left.
Helen quietly became the foundation of her family. A woman of deep faith and profound conviction, she provided a calm, compassionate model for her children and later for her children’s spouses and her grandchildren. One five-year-old grandchild is quoted to this day as saying, “Mama, you need to be more like Grandma. She never gets upset.” Helen’s life was a reflection of her beliefs, and her kindness and her steadfastness were ever present. Helen was the kind of person who made those around her want to be better people. She worshipped at Blacksburg Baptist Church (Church on Main) for 74 years, and she attended BKOTA and later Fidelis Sunday School Classes where some of her dearest friends continue to gather.
In addition to faith and family, Helen had many talents, interests, and abilities. In 1964, once her children were older, she began working as a secretary for The Department of the Army in an underground bunker in Radford. Classes were offered for advancement, and Helen enthusiastically enrolled. By the time she retired in 2000 she had become a computer specialist creating classified programs for the Army’s budget in Washington. She was a gifted seamstress, creating garments as varied as evening wear to creative patches for jeans. She designed several houses and house renovations to be built. Until her late eighties, she mowed four acres of the family lawn. Her favorite activity, though, was watching her six grandchildren grow and thrive. She loved following their sports and activities, their progress in school, and eventually their careers; but most of all she loved their visits home to Blacksburg to be with family and the time they spent with Grandma!
Surviving are her daughter, Jane Jones and her husband Chuck, Blacksburg; three sons, Phillip Matthews, Blacksburg; Tim Matthews and his wife Londa, Blacksburg; Eric Matthews and his wife Alexa, Charlottesville; six grandchildren, Will Matthews and his wife Kelly, Deale, Maryland; Kate Squires and her husband Andrew, Lexington; Morgan Jones and his wife Katrina, Jacksonville, Florida; Mallory Jones, New York, New York; Griffin Matthews, Charlottesville; Elliot Matthews, Charlottesville; three great-grandchildren, Alex Jones, Ella Jones, and Henry Squires.
Finally, the family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire Carilion Hospice Team for their skilled, compassionate care when our mother needed it most.
A funeral service will be held at Church on Main (Blacksburg Baptist Church) on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 2:00 pm with Dr. Tommy McDearis officiating. Family will receive guests from 1:00 pm until service time at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Church on Main, 550 North Main Street, Blacksburg, VA. 24060.
