Martha Hilda Chivers Matthews

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Visitation Schedule
Second Baptist Church
2600 Dave Ward Dr.
Conway, AR  72034
Saturday, February 15, 2020
12:00 PM
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Second Baptist Church
2600 Dave Ward Dr.
Conway, AR  72034
Saturday, February 15, 2020
1:00PM
Cemetery
Crestlawn Memorial Park
472 Hwy 64 East
Conway, AR  72032
Memorial Contributions
Second Baptist Church
2600 Dave Ward Dr
Conway, AR  72034
Martha Hilda Chivers Matthews

of Conway, AR

July 22, 1927 - February 12, 2020

Martha Hilda Chivers Matthews, 92, of Conway went to be with her Savior on February 12, 2020. She was born July 22, 1927 in Conway to D.S. and Marybelle Lindsey Chivers and spent her whole life in Faulkner County. She was a lifelong member of Second Baptist Church of Conway where she served as church secretary and taught Sunday school and Training Union for years and rarely missed a service.

Martha graduated from Conway High School and attended Arkansas State Teacher's College (now UCA). She then began working at Farmer's Fire Insurance Company in Conway, a job she kept for over 50 years. Around this time she met the man who became the love of her life, Zane Sanders Matthews. They married in 1952 and never left each other's side until his death in early 2007. They had one daughter, Zanette, who with her husband Dr. Keith Bell had three grandchildren who were ''Mama Doot's'' pride and joy: Dr. Matt Bell and his wife Sarah of Fayetteville, Dr. Lindsey Sward and her husband Erik of Conway, and Tyler Bell of Conway. She was also blessed later in life with 4 great grandchildren: Zane, Hollin, and Cort Bell of Fayetteville and Samuel Sward of Conway. Martha was preceded in death by her older brother Joe John Chivers. Martha's younger sister, Lynn Cummins, remained by her side throughout her life. As Zanette was an only child, her first cousins Craig Cummins (Dana), Kaye Kaye Cummins Dell (Greg), Susie Chivers Taylor (Ron), and Jo Ellen Chivers Stodola (Mark) were as close as siblings. Martha and Zane treated them as their own, as well as their children Kara Dell Hollinger, Jake Cummins, Josh Cummins, Morgan Cummins Hegi, Kami Taylor Coleman, Kyle Taylor, John Mark Stodola, and Robert Joseph Stodola.

Martha will be remembered by all that knew her as a true example of Christian love, kindness, and compassion. She loved unconditionally and was loved in return by all who knew her. As a lifelong resident of Conway, her knowledge of its historic neighborhoods was uncanny and her family always enjoyed quizzing her on the previous owners of old Conway houses. She was an avid teapot collector and at last count her collection numbered well over 500. One of her lesser known qualities were that she was extremely competitive, as her domino playing partners can well attest.

Though she will be missed, we know that she is in the company of her Savior and is reunited with her loving husband. Funeral Services will be 1:00PM Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Second Baptist Church in Conway with Tony Weston and Josh King officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior at 12:00PM at the Church. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Conway. The family would especially like to thank Martha's beloved caregivers that helped so much during the final years of her life and allowed her to stay in her own home where she loved to be.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Second Baptist Church in Conway.

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24 Condolence(s)
Donna Sue Rodgers Dillahunty
Little Rock., AR
Liked
Thursday, February 20, 2020

Martha was my hero and mentor as a teenager. She was our YWA (Acteens) leader and served us selflessly. Have never forgotten she and Zane taken us to the Old Mexico Chiquita at Protho Junction for Christmas each year. It was always a joy to see her through the years.

Mary and Gordon Harding
Pomona, CA
Liked
Tuesday, February 18, 2020

So sad to hear of Martha's passing, my mother Mary Lou Presley Harding was an old friend of hers from way back. We saw her last in 2015. Our condolences to Zanette and all the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ann Crafton Webb
Russellville, AR
Liked
Monday, February 17, 2020

Zanette, Keith and families

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Ann & Bruce

Mike, Suzanne and Cambria Byrum
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, February 15, 2020

She was a beautiful and kind lady. We are sorry for the loss of such a wonderful soul. Thoughts and prayers for the whole family.

Sandra Cardin
,
Liked
Saturday, February 15, 2020

So sorry Zanette! Your Mom and Dad were so special! One of my favorite Aunts and Uncles. You were blessed!

Don Moore
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Saturday, February 15, 2020

Great lady! Great loss! Great God! I am sorry for your momentary loss, but praying for your comfort!
Don Moore

,
Liked
Saturday, February 15, 2020

I'm so sorry to hear about ms. Martha. She was the kindest sweetest person and im so glad i got to know her. Yall are in our thoughts and prayers.
Shannon and wayne pearce

Carol Johnson
Cincinnati, OH
Liked
Saturday, February 15, 2020

Lynn, Zanette and families: my deepest sympathy at Martha's passing. She left a big hole in the fabric of Conway, and her extended family but was welcomed in Heaven not only by the open arms of our Lord and Savior but also by her beloved Zane!
You will be in my thoughts and prayers Saturday,
Carol

Esther snd Donna Gail
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, February 15, 2020

Zanette and Keith,

Zanette, your mother was a special lady and your father was a special man. They are now together again. My father (who lived in Conway since he was 5 years old ) knew the Chivers from way back. My parents and I would be with your parents at Shorty's and than at Ed's Bakery. I have pictures of your parents from Shorty;s. Your mother would send us the sweetest cards with hand written notes inside. One said anytime she sees anything patriotic she thinks of our family. (Dad was a marine on Iwo Jima.) Dad passed away in Oct. 2016. Your mother would meet Mom and me at Julie's sweet shop on Veterans' Day. I could go on and on about how special your Mother (and father) were. We cherish the memories. They are in our hearts. But your parents are together again. I can vision them walking in heaven hand-in-hand.

Donna Gail Wright

Deena Hartsfield
Greenbrier, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

Thinking of you all with love and prayers.
Mrs. Martha was the kindest person I’ve ever known, as was her husband also.
I met them both many years ago as they would come and eat at The Pizza Hut in Conway. They both always asked about my family and I would run into them years later and always so kind.
Such an amazing and wonderful lady.
Deena Hartsfield

Ron and Karen Matthews
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

Loved this wonderful, sweet, and faithful lady. Martha was a great influence on many people. She will be missed. Hugs and prayers for all of you.

Ladawn Davis
Vilonia, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

Martha was a blessing to know. She befriended my 6 year old (Parinda) and they enjoyed each other's company whenever they had the opportunity. They played with dolls, had tea parties, and had spa days. Parinda says she will have a tea party in heaven now.

Ladawn Davis
Vilonia, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

Martha was a blessing to know. She befriended my 6 year old (Parinda) and they enjoyed each other's company whenever they had the opportunity. They played with dolls, had tea parties, and had spa days. Parinda says she will have a tea party in heaven now.

Barham Family
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

Our deepest sympathy and prayers for you. She was a sweet lady and will be missed by many. God Bless

Frank Brannan, Jr.
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

So sorry to hear this...Martha was the sweetest person and she will be missed by all who knew her. Love to all the family.

Jim and Jan Webb
Morrilton, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

We were so sorry to hear about Miss Martha. She was a lovely lady inside and outside. We remember how Mama Nina Webb always said that Martha never had a bad word to say about anyone. It is are comfort to think that such long time friends are able to be together again with their loved ones and each other!
She will be truly missed by everyone who knew her.

Rosalie Trent Patton
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

Lynn and all of Martha’s family: My thoughts & prayers are with you. My mother, Autie Trent loved Martha so much ; as did everyone who knew her. I pray that all of the wonderful memories you have & God’s loving arms will be a comfort to you all in the days to come.

Tina Spencer
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

I’m so very sorry to hear of Martha’s passing , we lost a wonderful woman with the biggest loving and caring heart , we all loved her so much and she will be truly missed . Love Tina , Shannon, Bo and Destiny

Peggy Owen Bailey
Lonoke, AR
Liked
Friday, February 14, 2020

Martha was a beautiful precious woman who shared her love and kindness with all she knew. My deepest condolences to the familY. God bless and keep you all through this difficult time.

Judith Wimberly
Benton,, AR
Liked
Thursday, February 13, 2020

This wonderful lady was my Sunday School teacher when I was a small child thus I have known her almost my entire life. She is the epitome of an angel on earth and I know she walks in heaven with a crown of jewels befitting the angel I knew on earth. May you rest in eternal peace dear Martha.

Mary Beth Hollingsworth
Hampton, AR
Liked
Thursday, February 13, 2020

So sorry that Mama Doot has passed away. She was one of a kind, always so sweet. We will all miss her.

Gary & Carolyn Gammon
Conway, AR
Liked
Thursday, February 13, 2020

Our Condolences to the Family!
Prayers & Peace be with you...
All Our Love,
The Gammon Family

Nancy Rhodes
Conway, AR
Liked
Thursday, February 13, 2020

I am so sorry for your loss. She was one of the sweetest ladies ever. She will be greatly missed. My prayers are

Linda and Jim Palmer
Enola, AR
Liked
Thursday, February 13, 2020

So sorry for your loss, she was truly a wonderful person she will be missed by many, and leaves everyone with a lot of good memories.