The matriarch of our family, Ellazeen “Sista” Mathews, passed away Saturday, March 21 in Sacramento, Calif. She had just celebrated her 95th birthday on March 14, one week prior, before she went to be with the Lord peacefully in her home surrounded by family and friends.
Born Ellazeen Robinson, she entered the world on March 14, 1920 in Mer Rouge, La. to Greene and Samarie Robinson. The oldest of 12 kids, she was very protective of her siblings.
She was also a friend to many, and lovingly became known as “Sista”. She met Orick “Buddy” Mathews, Sr. in Mer Rouge, La. The two later married on Sept. 19, 1950 and moved from Louisiana to Hawthorne, Nevada in 1954 where she settled in as a homemaker and over time bore eight children.
Her door was always open to everyone. Her children remember having someone living with them as long as they could remember. The family moved to Sacramento, Calif. in 1980 when her husband received a job transfer to McClellan AFB. They lived in the North area for one year before moving to South Sacramento on Ontario Street where they would both remain and live out their years doing what they do best, serving others.
Ellazeen was preceded in death by her husband, Orick “Buddy” Mathews, Sr.; her son, Albert “Joe” Brandon, Jr.; her granddaughters, Destiny Young and Neeka Bowens; her brothers, Reville Robinson, Luther Robinson, Hewitt “Dude” (and Toni) Robinson, Sr. and Arnell Robinson; her sisters, Laura Robinson, Virteous (and Bernard) Rowden and Marie Robinson and her parents, Green and Samarie Robinson.
She leaves behind to cherish her memories, her sons: Orick Mathews, Jr. and Roy (and Colette) Mathews; her daughters: Linda (and Marlon) Lee; Shirley (and Tim) Coyne; Ella (and Will) Lewis); Margaret Mathews and Donzell (and Roy) Murphy; her brothers: Nathanial (and Clara) Robinson and Arthur D. (and Debra) Robinson; sisters: MaeRie Grant and Queenie Mae Robinson and a host of grandchildren; great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; additional family members and wonderful friends.
Services were held March 28 at New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Sacramento. Internment was at Camilla Lawn Cemetery in Sacramento.
