SAVANNAH, GEORGIA -Senior Master Sergeant RB Matthews, United States Air Force (Ret.), 83, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Delories Bell Matthews, died Thursday evening, August 12, 2010, at Hospice Savannah. 

Born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, he was a son of the late Robert Calvin Matthews and the late Minnie Ola Guthrie Matthews. Mr. Matthews served his country in the Korean Conflict and later retired after twenty years of service as an aircraft mechanic from the United States Air Force. He was awarded the following Ribbons throughout his military career, The Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon with five Bronze Knots, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, USAF NCO Professional Military Education Graduate, National defense Service Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon with Bronze Star, United Nations Korean Service Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Markmanship Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award with Four Oak Leaf Clusters. Mr. Matthews earned the following Medals during his military career, United Nations Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Five Bronze Knots and the Air Force Commendation Medal. After serving in the military, Mr. Matthews worked eighteen years for the State of Georgia and retired as the Director of Maintenance at Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Thelma Matthews, Selma Matthews, Mazell Jones; two brothers, Arvis Matthews, Teasley Matthews, and two grandchildren, Lisa Renee Davis and Robert Calvin Matthews.

Surviving are his loving and devoted wife of fifty eight years, Delories Bell Matthews; two daughters, Teresa Matthews Pelfrey and her husband, David, of Richmond Hill, Georgia, Brenda Matthews Sorrells and her husband, Tim, of Savannah, Georgia; three sons, Bruce Matthews and his wife, Cindy, of Savannah, Georgia, Steven Matthews and his wife, Kerrie, of Clyo, Georgia, Craig Matthews and his wife, Melinda, of Savannah, Georgia; two sisters, Ruth Matthews, Beatrude Sistrunk; one brother, Henry Matthews and his wife, Wanda, all of Philadelphia, Mississippi;  fourteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 12 until 1 o'clock Monday afternoon at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue.

The funeral service, with full military honors, will be held at 1 o’clock Monday afternoon, August 16, 2010 in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue, conducted by The Reverend Dr. Douglas R. McCart. Interment will be Private.

Remembrances:  Hospice Savannah - Post Office Box 13190, Savannah, Georgia 31416-0190 or
Bethesda Home for Boys - 9520 Ferguson Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31406.