Odette Matthews' Obituary
Odette Denise Lourdin Matthews passed away on May 23, 2015. She was born in 1919 in Vichy, France. After living through German occupation during WWII and witnessing the liberation of Paris, she moved to Washington DC where she worked as an attorney for the French Embassy. She met Luther Franklin Matthews who had just returned from the war, married him, and moved to Memphis. They were married for 30 years. Odette was a loving wife to Luther while he worked with Allright Parking and then founded The Downtowner Motor Inns.Odette is preceded in death by her husband, Luther F. Matthews, her daughter, Denise Raikos (Gusty), and her son, L. Franklin Matthews, Jr. (Martha). She is survived by her son, Harold Matthews (Cecilia) of Naples, Fl, her grandchildren, Karen Winchester (John) of Germantown, Patricia Aiken (Wyatt) of Memphis, Melissa Fitch (Philip) of Indianapolis, Gustin J. ‘G.J.’ Raikos, Jr. of Indianapolis, Nicholas Raikos of California, John ‘Jake’ Raikos of Indianapolis, her great-grandchildren Jennifer Gray (Nick), James Aiken, Elizabeth Winchester, Rachel Aiken, and Philip Aiken, and her great-great-granddaughter Adeline Gray.Odette taught French at Miss Hutchison School in the 1960’s. She was active in the Memphi society, the Woman’s Exchange, the Duration Club, and the Church of the Holy Communion. Odette remained a staunchly patriotic American during her 70 years in this country. Visitation will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Friday, May 29th, 2015 at 1:30 pm, with services following at 2:30. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Salvation Army, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or The Church of the Holy Communion.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”
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