Mr. Carl Wesley Matthews, 84, passed away on Friday, February 26, 2016. He was a civil rights leader and an entrepreneur. He was the son of the late Mrs. Cornelia Clark Matthews.

In addition to his mother he was preceded in death by his daughter, Celia Priscilla Roan Best.

He is survived by his daughters, Cornelia Beatrice Matthews (James, Jr.) Webster and Francina Maria Matthews; grandchildren, Yasmin Noelle Best, Adam Roan Best, and Kali James Matthews (Krissie) Webster; great-grandchildren, Tajae James Matthews Gambrell, Xavier James Marlin Webster, Paxton Terry Webster, and Nahla Caroline Webster; the wife in his life and family, Sharon Jefferson Rucker, Kim (Alex) McCullough, and Alexis McCullough; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Thursday, March 3, 2016 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend James Clyburn, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge First Baptist Church Cemetery, Oak Ridge, NC.

There will be no public viewing of Mr. Matthews.