Barbara Jean Matthews, 80 of Lake City, passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021, at home with her family.  She was born in Valdosta, Georgia the middle child of three to the late Jack and Carrie Wood Barton.  Mrs. Matthews was raised in Largo, Florida, she was a graduate of Largo High School class of 1959 and had made Lake City her home since 1964.  She worked just shy of 25 years for K-Mart in Lake City.  Mrs. Matthews was of the Baptist faith and a longtime member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.  She loved gardening, working in her yard, crocheting, reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  Mrs. Matthews was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Horace Eugene "Gene" Matthews and one granddaughter, Taylor Victoria Norris.

Survivors include her children, Richard Nelson (Paul Szlasa), Sandy Valley, NV, Becky            Roberts (Gator), Stockbridge, GA, Missy Lee (Devin), Lake City, Robert Matthews (Teresa), Starke and Mike Matthews, Sheila Matthews and David Matthews all of Suffolk, VA; two brothers, Fred Barton (Joan), Chiefland and Charles Barton (Sandra), Lake Butler; two grandchildren, Brooke Adams (Michael), Hampton, GA and Thomas Jordan Driver (Kym), Lake City; nine step grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, Cole, Blaze, Jack and Raven and five step great-grandchildren including Kaila, Kailee.

Funeral services for Mrs. Matthews will be conducted on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with Pastor Bo Bush officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service at the church from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  A live stream of the services will be available by visiting Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home via Facebook.