Written By
KATHLEEN MATTHEWS LYLE
Kathy at her Retirement Party
It was a dark and stormy night! Lightning was blitzing across the sky – Uh, Oh, wrong story. This isn’t a book, it’s about a very delightful person, and the weather had nothing to do with it.
I vaguely remember meeting the Floyd Matthews family out in California. I believe they were living in Napa, CA and the war wasn’t yet over. Then just before the war ended our family moved to Florence, AL. I was just entering the 3rd grade but I do remember all the sirens going off at the end of the war.
I remember the “Dun Worryin” farm also. The most outstanding things I remember is climbing the apple trees in their orchard and nobody running out to tell us to get out of the trees because we were going to break an arm or leg. I remember spending a couple of weeks at a time each summer out there. I always hated to go back home because there were so many fun things to do at the farm. I remember their Collie dog (Bill told me a couple of weeks ago that they actually had three separate Collies at different times, not just the one). Uncle Floyd bought a calf, bull or a cow, I don’t know which it was off hand – and since this is my story I’m not going to ask anyone. As I remember, the calf was to be butchered. Aunt Nora made a pet out of it and didn’t want to see it slaughtered – I don’t know who won that battle! So much for the farm. That could be a book in itself. I have to mention the Sunday afternoon card games though. The big game was Canasta and Aunt Gert and Uncle Roy were always there.
Our family (Mother, Jan & I) moved to Loretto when I was in the 6th Grade. That was a dramatic change but one I have never regretted. I remember Uncle Floyd and family always asked us to join them for Thanksgiving dinner. Whether they were going out to eat or cooking at home we were there. Thank you so very much Uncle Floyd.
After I graduated from high school I moved to Nashville (the big city). Uncle Floyd and family also moved to Nashville and rented a house on 26th Street. My first husband (Bob) and I lived on 28th Street so we were over there quite a bit. There was always a croquet court set up and a game just waiting to be played. One Christmas Bob & I went over after presents were unwrapped. John had received his first tape recorder. He was on his way to being a disc jockey with that gift. He was a natural with gags, recording people who were not aware they were being taped. It was a lot of fun and the best present he could have received.
When I returned to Loretto, Aunt Nora had her Dairy Bar. I went to Business School and then returned to Nashville and was employed by Insurance Company. Not too terribly long after I got that job a girl from Lewisburg (Margaret) came to work there. Once a month the office closed during lunch and we all went uptown to eat at a cafeteria. We weren’t restricted to a 30 min. lunch so Margaret and I would go to Uncle Floyd’s office and if he was in we would go over to the Elk’s Club and have a couple of drinks before returning to work. That was always a big deal for us. Uncle Floyd probably thought it was a pain. If so, he never lets us know about it.
I was dating a guy from Florence, AL who was attending Vanderbilt and I decided one evening that we should go out and visit with Uncle Floyd who was living on Lebanon Road at that time. Well, I think that was a bad move on my part because all I ever heard from then on was “let’s go see Uncle Floyd.” I told him to get his own “Uncle Floyd” – I already had one. That ended that relationship! Every once in a while Uncle Floyd and I would go to Jimmy Kelly’s restaurant and have dinner. They were out in Belle Meade at the time. That was always such great fun. It’s still my favorite restaurant here in Nashville and I always think of you, Uncle Floyd, when I go there.
Many times Uncle Floyd would give me a lift to Loretto when one of my Junker cars was out of commission. That was a long time before the Interstate. In fact, you still can’t get to Loretto via Interstate. It’s as though Loretto isn’t even on the map. If only the “Planners” could see it now! On one such trip to Loretto, we were approaching Columbia and lo and behold there appeared to be a roadblock of some kind up ahead. Now that was a memorable trip for me and I don’t know whether Uncle Floyd remembers it or not. It wasn’t actually traffic stopped to attempt to get into the Drive-in theater but the troopers were out in force. Uncle Floyd, if you don’t remember that trip I’ll spare the details in this dedication and you can remind me and I’ll tell you what I’m referring to.
There is much more that could be written, but I will close for now and just save it for the next 100 years - To a memorable Uncle and a true friend.
I vaguely remember meeting the Floyd Matthews family out in California. I believe they were living in Napa, CA and the war wasn’t yet over. Then just before the war ended our family moved to Florence, AL. I was just entering the 3rd grade but I do remember all the sirens going off at the end of the war.
I remember the “Dun Worryin” farm also. The most outstanding things I remember is climbing the apple trees in their orchard and nobody running out to tell us to get out of the trees because we were going to break an arm or leg. I remember spending a couple of weeks at a time each summer out there. I always hated to go back home because there were so many fun things to do at the farm. I remember their Collie dog (Bill told me a couple of weeks ago that they actually had three separate Collies at different times, not just the one). Uncle Floyd bought a calf, bull or a cow, I don’t know which it was off hand – and since this is my story I’m not going to ask anyone. As I remember, the calf was to be butchered. Aunt Nora made a pet out of it and didn’t want to see it slaughtered – I don’t know who won that battle! So much for the farm. That could be a book in itself. I have to mention the Sunday afternoon card games though. The big game was Canasta and Aunt Gert and Uncle Roy were always there.
Our family (Mother, Jan & I) moved to Loretto when I was in the 6th Grade. That was a dramatic change but one I have never regretted. I remember Uncle Floyd and family always asked us to join them for Thanksgiving dinner. Whether they were going out to eat or cooking at home we were there. Thank you so very much Uncle Floyd.
After I graduated from high school I moved to Nashville (the big city). Uncle Floyd and family also moved to Nashville and rented a house on 26th Street. My first husband (Bob) and I lived on 28th Street so we were over there quite a bit. There was always a croquet court set up and a game just waiting to be played. One Christmas Bob & I went over after presents were unwrapped. John had received his first tape recorder. He was on his way to being a disc jockey with that gift. He was a natural with gags, recording people who were not aware they were being taped. It was a lot of fun and the best present he could have received.
When I returned to Loretto, Aunt Nora had her Dairy Bar. I went to Business School and then returned to Nashville and was employed by Insurance Company. Not too terribly long after I got that job a girl from Lewisburg (Margaret) came to work there. Once a month the office closed during lunch and we all went uptown to eat at a cafeteria. We weren’t restricted to a 30 min. lunch so Margaret and I would go to Uncle Floyd’s office and if he was in we would go over to the Elk’s Club and have a couple of drinks before returning to work. That was always a big deal for us. Uncle Floyd probably thought it was a pain. If so, he never lets us know about it.
I was dating a guy from Florence, AL who was attending Vanderbilt and I decided one evening that we should go out and visit with Uncle Floyd who was living on Lebanon Road at that time. Well, I think that was a bad move on my part because all I ever heard from then on was “let’s go see Uncle Floyd.” I told him to get his own “Uncle Floyd” – I already had one. That ended that relationship! Every once in a while Uncle Floyd and I would go to Jimmy Kelly’s restaurant and have dinner. They were out in Belle Meade at the time. That was always such great fun. It’s still my favorite restaurant here in Nashville and I always think of you, Uncle Floyd, when I go there.
Many times Uncle Floyd would give me a lift to Loretto when one of my Junker cars was out of commission. That was a long time before the Interstate. In fact, you still can’t get to Loretto via Interstate. It’s as though Loretto isn’t even on the map. If only the “Planners” could see it now! On one such trip to Loretto, we were approaching Columbia and lo and behold there appeared to be a roadblock of some kind up ahead. Now that was a memorable trip for me and I don’t know whether Uncle Floyd remembers it or not. It wasn’t actually traffic stopped to attempt to get into the Drive-in theater but the troopers were out in force. Uncle Floyd, if you don’t remember that trip I’ll spare the details in this dedication and you can remind me and I’ll tell you what I’m referring to.
There is much more that could be written, but I will close for now and just save it for the next 100 years - To a memorable Uncle and a true friend.
Written By
MARGARET ANN SLAGLE CLARK
One of the things I remember most about you and Aunt Nora is how excited my mom (Viola Mae Matthews) would get when she got word you all were coming to our house for a visit. That was mostly during your Navy years. She would tell all of us “My Big Bud is coming. I will be so glad to see him”. We always had a big get together when you came home for a visit. Sometimes they were down at the spring in the hollow from where we lived and there were all kinds of good things to eat.
When Aunt Nora first saw the spring she was so puzzled by it. She tried and tried to find out where the spring turned on and off and she just couldn’t find it anywhere. We all had a laugh about that.
Another incident, a rather funny one, I think, is the way you and Aunt Nora would call me “Little Miss I Don’t Know”. I was very shy as a child and when you or Aunt Nora would ask me a question I always said “I Don’t Know”.
Uncle Floyd, when you see me at reunion now, you tell me now how, when I come into the reunion hall smiling and laughing, that I can make you laugh when nobody else can. I want to keep coming to the reunions, Uncle Floyd, and keep making you laugh for many more years to come.
I love you very much and am so happy you helped get these Reunions started so we get to see you at least once a year.
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When Aunt Nora first saw the spring she was so puzzled by it. She tried and tried to find out where the spring turned on and off and she just couldn’t find it anywhere. We all had a laugh about that.
Another incident, a rather funny one, I think, is the way you and Aunt Nora would call me “Little Miss I Don’t Know”. I was very shy as a child and when you or Aunt Nora would ask me a question I always said “I Don’t Know”.
Uncle Floyd, when you see me at reunion now, you tell me now how, when I come into the reunion hall smiling and laughing, that I can make you laugh when nobody else can. I want to keep coming to the reunions, Uncle Floyd, and keep making you laugh for many more years to come.
I love you very much and am so happy you helped get these Reunions started so we get to see you at least once a year.
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Written by
Margaret (Peggy) Louise Matthews Quatarone
Peggy and husband, Carmen
Rather than try to remember and document in writing my many happy moments with my Uncle Floyd, I will describe a short version of my earliest and latest visits. Uncle Floyd, I sure hope this brings back some happy times for you also!
My earliest memories of Uncle Floyd come from about age five or six when after Sunday church my Dad and Mom would take me to the Dairy Bar on Highway 43 in Loretto where Uncle Floyd and Aunt Nora would treat me with my very favorite "dairy dip" which was the ice cream. What happy and delicious times those Sunday mornings were in my childhood.
My latest memory with Uncle Floyd is a trip to Mobile, AL along with my Dad and sister, Edith. We were visiting Uncle and Vena in Pensacola when our travel guide Uncle announced we would be driving to Mobile for a tourist afternoon.
As an added treat Uncle directed me to the Mobile Ferry Boat for a ride across the water to Mobile. Being much the Navy Man, we visited the Battleship Memorial Park where we boarded the USS Alabama and walked through the submarine USS Drum. Having Uncle for a guide was truly the only way to visit this particular place and a special treat for us civilians.
My earliest memories of Uncle Floyd come from about age five or six when after Sunday church my Dad and Mom would take me to the Dairy Bar on Highway 43 in Loretto where Uncle Floyd and Aunt Nora would treat me with my very favorite "dairy dip" which was the ice cream. What happy and delicious times those Sunday mornings were in my childhood.
My latest memory with Uncle Floyd is a trip to Mobile, AL along with my Dad and sister, Edith. We were visiting Uncle and Vena in Pensacola when our travel guide Uncle announced we would be driving to Mobile for a tourist afternoon.
As an added treat Uncle directed me to the Mobile Ferry Boat for a ride across the water to Mobile. Being much the Navy Man, we visited the Battleship Memorial Park where we boarded the USS Alabama and walked through the submarine USS Drum. Having Uncle for a guide was truly the only way to visit this particular place and a special treat for us civilians.
Written By
Priscilla Smith
John, Cilla, Floyd, Bill, Sondra - 104th Birthday
It was Christmas, 1968, and Mom and Skipper were living on Escapist Isles in the marina at St. Petersburg, Florida. They invited me down to spend the holidays with them. It was a great treat for me, and I remember it was so warm and that was very unusual for me.
We had a tree in the main salon (where my bed was, for I slept on the couch) and decorations were everywhere. On Christmas Eve Skipper got all his signal flags out and when Christmas morning came, he hung them from every line on the boat. It was great!
We left St. Petersburg marina and started across Tampa Bay for an outing; to have lunch across the Bay for our Christmas dinner. We didn't realize how heavy the morning fog still was and by the time we were halfway across, the fog had really set in. It was as thick as duck soup! Mom and I were stationed on the bow, listening for other boats or ships, while Skipper was at the wheel. We could hear the big tankers and cargo carriers crossing the bay in front of us, but we couldn't see them! We sure didn't want to be run over by something as big as a tanker who couldn't see us either. We have laughed many times about that experience. We probably should have turned back, but, we were halfway there already!! That was a good Christmas and it is one which stands out in my memories.
When asked if I would like to go to the VFW National Convention in West Virginia with Mom and Skipper, of course I said yes. This was in the late 60's. They had a fold out camper they pulled behind the car, and we were off, together, on a camping trip, with a stop at the Convention.
We took our nice clothes to dress up for the convention, but we were camping out the rest of the time. The night of the Convention, a happy hour was held before the meeting and the dinner. Mom and I were wearing evening dresses and Skipper was dressed in his best gray suit. We were all very hungry, so we had to taste the veggies and dips. One hot dip was especially tasty and Mom and I ate it up, on some chips, and thought it was wonderful. It tasted like white chicken meat with cheese. Afterward, Skipper informed us that we had been eating rattlesnake meat. I don't think it would have been so good if we had known what it was. What good times I have had with Mom and Skipper.
We had a tree in the main salon (where my bed was, for I slept on the couch) and decorations were everywhere. On Christmas Eve Skipper got all his signal flags out and when Christmas morning came, he hung them from every line on the boat. It was great!
We left St. Petersburg marina and started across Tampa Bay for an outing; to have lunch across the Bay for our Christmas dinner. We didn't realize how heavy the morning fog still was and by the time we were halfway across, the fog had really set in. It was as thick as duck soup! Mom and I were stationed on the bow, listening for other boats or ships, while Skipper was at the wheel. We could hear the big tankers and cargo carriers crossing the bay in front of us, but we couldn't see them! We sure didn't want to be run over by something as big as a tanker who couldn't see us either. We have laughed many times about that experience. We probably should have turned back, but, we were halfway there already!! That was a good Christmas and it is one which stands out in my memories.
When asked if I would like to go to the VFW National Convention in West Virginia with Mom and Skipper, of course I said yes. This was in the late 60's. They had a fold out camper they pulled behind the car, and we were off, together, on a camping trip, with a stop at the Convention.
We took our nice clothes to dress up for the convention, but we were camping out the rest of the time. The night of the Convention, a happy hour was held before the meeting and the dinner. Mom and I were wearing evening dresses and Skipper was dressed in his best gray suit. We were all very hungry, so we had to taste the veggies and dips. One hot dip was especially tasty and Mom and I ate it up, on some chips, and thought it was wonderful. It tasted like white chicken meat with cheese. Afterward, Skipper informed us that we had been eating rattlesnake meat. I don't think it would have been so good if we had known what it was. What good times I have had with Mom and Skipper.
Written By
William Mason Matthews, Jr.
As far back as I can remember Skipper has instilled in me a love for the water, which has provided a lifetime of fond memories. He has told us countless stories of his time in the Navy, beginning in boot camp near the end of Word War I.
I don’t remember if it was Gene or Roy who told me the story about the civilian underwater salvage effort on Second Creek near Killen, AL. It seems that Skipper and Roy were fishing in Second Creek when they lost the outboard off the stern of their boat. Guess who managed to recover the motor at a later date, after marking the spot?
I think it was sometime in the mid 1990’s when he was talking about buying some kind of boat and keeping it tied up in Pensacola, which I thought was a great idea. Vena didn’t appreciate how I kept encouraging him, and I asked, “What would be the harm in having a boat here? I think you two would really enjoy staying on the boat from time to time”. She replied, “The problem is that the boat wouldn’t stay anywhere! He’d have it out every weekend!” I’m sure he would have.
I think it was the summer of 1995 when my dad hosted the Matthews Family Reunion at his house. I had a beat-up sixteen-foot fishing boat in the garage. That’s when I realized that Skipper is going to have something positive to say about nearly anything that floats! He wanted to hit the water right then.
He was giving the boat a good inspection when we were called in to eat. I was only a few feet in door when I realized he wasn’t with me. I turned around to find that he had climbed into the boat, and was continuing the inspection. He had all the compartments open, and was pulling my dock line out. I told him that it was time to eat, and I’ll never forget him saying, “Bring my plate out here. I’m going to eat in the galley!”
I don’t remember if it was Gene or Roy who told me the story about the civilian underwater salvage effort on Second Creek near Killen, AL. It seems that Skipper and Roy were fishing in Second Creek when they lost the outboard off the stern of their boat. Guess who managed to recover the motor at a later date, after marking the spot?
I think it was sometime in the mid 1990’s when he was talking about buying some kind of boat and keeping it tied up in Pensacola, which I thought was a great idea. Vena didn’t appreciate how I kept encouraging him, and I asked, “What would be the harm in having a boat here? I think you two would really enjoy staying on the boat from time to time”. She replied, “The problem is that the boat wouldn’t stay anywhere! He’d have it out every weekend!” I’m sure he would have.
I think it was the summer of 1995 when my dad hosted the Matthews Family Reunion at his house. I had a beat-up sixteen-foot fishing boat in the garage. That’s when I realized that Skipper is going to have something positive to say about nearly anything that floats! He wanted to hit the water right then.
He was giving the boat a good inspection when we were called in to eat. I was only a few feet in door when I realized he wasn’t with me. I turned around to find that he had climbed into the boat, and was continuing the inspection. He had all the compartments open, and was pulling my dock line out. I told him that it was time to eat, and I’ll never forget him saying, “Bring my plate out here. I’m going to eat in the galley!”
Written By
Tom Stanford
I dedicate the following, a brief part of the many pages that could be written about Uncle Floyd Houston Matthews. My earliest memories of Uncle Floyd start about the early 1950's. I had heard his name mentioned many times, but I had never met him. I probably heard his name first from my grand father, Thomas M (Bob) Matthews. Uncle Floyd and Aunt Nora moved to Loretto, bringing two sons, Bill and John.
I do not remember the exact date of their arrival in Loretto. I I do remember going to his home quiet often and there was always a friendly greeting and a smile, with kind and encouraging words.
His Naval Career was the reason my interest was aroused regarding the galaxy. Galaxy to me means stars in the sky. Stars form constellations (North Star, Big Dipper, Little Dipper, etc) to just name a few. Like any other interest, you have the urge to know more.
My brother Joe, and I, visited his home on many occasions and often, we stayed late into the night, to study the stars with Bill and John. Naturally, a lot of the help we got came from Uncle Floyd. After all, he did spend many years using the stars to navigate while he was in The United States Navy. I am sure when he looks at the sky he thinks of how the stars helped him arrive at his desired destinations. We used everything we could get our hands on to study the stars.
You can tell how dedicated to his country he is when you talk to him and by being in his presence when he recites the Pledge to the United States Flag, when he says "one Nation under God."
If I could shorten this page to one sentence, I would use the words of Robert Kennedy. "Some see things as they are and ask why." Floyd Matthews is the type person that sees things that can not be, and asks,” why not?
Who knows, Rudyard Kipling might have had a person like Floyd Matthews in mind when he wrote the poem "IF". It is with great PRIDE that I submit this testimonial to such an American "Floyd H Matthews." And last, but not least, I am proud to say his is my blood relative.
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I do not remember the exact date of their arrival in Loretto. I I do remember going to his home quiet often and there was always a friendly greeting and a smile, with kind and encouraging words.
His Naval Career was the reason my interest was aroused regarding the galaxy. Galaxy to me means stars in the sky. Stars form constellations (North Star, Big Dipper, Little Dipper, etc) to just name a few. Like any other interest, you have the urge to know more.
My brother Joe, and I, visited his home on many occasions and often, we stayed late into the night, to study the stars with Bill and John. Naturally, a lot of the help we got came from Uncle Floyd. After all, he did spend many years using the stars to navigate while he was in The United States Navy. I am sure when he looks at the sky he thinks of how the stars helped him arrive at his desired destinations. We used everything we could get our hands on to study the stars.
You can tell how dedicated to his country he is when you talk to him and by being in his presence when he recites the Pledge to the United States Flag, when he says "one Nation under God."
If I could shorten this page to one sentence, I would use the words of Robert Kennedy. "Some see things as they are and ask why." Floyd Matthews is the type person that sees things that can not be, and asks,” why not?
Who knows, Rudyard Kipling might have had a person like Floyd Matthews in mind when he wrote the poem "IF". It is with great PRIDE that I submit this testimonial to such an American "Floyd H Matthews." And last, but not least, I am proud to say his is my blood relative.
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