Martha Matthews

Martha Lewis Matthews of Concord, NC passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023. Martha was born in New Bern, NC on October 5, 1942. She graduated from New Bern High School in 1960 and earned her degree in nursing from Watts School of Nursing in Durham, NC in 1963. After marrying and moving to Charlotte, NC, Martha furthered her education to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at the Charlotte Memorial Hospital School of Anesthesia in 1969. Martha worked at several hospitals in the Charlotte area including Charlotte Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospital, and Carolinas Medical Center before finishing her career as the Chief CRNA at University Hospital. In addition to her clinical contributions, Martha served two years in the NC CRNA Association and four years in the Army Reserves at the rank of Captain.

Martha was a marvelous cook and shared her love of cooking and baking with her daughters, especially the annual baklava baked with patience and love at Christmas time. Recognized as the life of any party, Martha loved to entertain, and especially enjoyed a raucous game of canasta, bridge, bunco, and hand, foot, and elbow. She also shared her sense of adventure with all who dared to join her – be it international travels, white water rafting, boating, or a good oyster roast.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Rebecca Smith Whitley and husband Tim, of Charlotte, NC and Melissa Smith Morgan and husband, David, of Waxhaw, NC; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Amber Whitley Allensworth and husband, Bob and their sons, Grant and Harrison; Michael Whitley and wife, Lauren; Mary Catherine Whitley Outen and husband, Chase; Jacob Earnhardt and his daughter, Bryleigh; and Adam Earnhardt.  Martha also leaves behind her beloved brother, David Lee (Buddy) Lewis, Jr. and wife, Brenda, her nieces, Robin Lewis Wright and her sons, Aaron and David, and Joanna Lewis Hall and husband, Josh and their daughter, Savannah; and her long-time co-conspirators, her cousins, James W. Lewis and Sylvia Lewis Kuster and husband Dewey (Skip) and their daughters.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, David and Juanita Lewis; her husband, Don Matthews; and her daughter, Amy Smith Earnhardt.

Martha will be truly missed, and we are certain she has now found peace.

The family will receive visitors Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10:30am-11:45am, at Hartsell Funeral Home in Concord, NC. A Celebration of Life service will follow immediately in the chapel.