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Matthews, Bernard "Bernie" J.

October 10, 2042 –
 November 15, 2013

Obituary

Bernard (Bernie) John Matthews (71), with his wife at his side, peacefully exhaled his last earthly breath and inhaled his first heavenly breath in the early morning of November 15, 2013, at their McKinney, Texas, home.

 Although Bernard experienced the ravages of a first stroke in 2003, his heart and mind were always filled with thankfulness.  He was courageous to the end.

 Bernard enjoyed many professions.  For 23 years, he was employed by the Public Works in Washington, DC.  He and Louise owned and operated “The Captains Table,” a historic, waterfront restaurant in Southern Maryland.  Moving to the Florida Keys for 12 years, they owned and operated “Accommodating The Keys,” a property management business.  They were also Realtors and worked as a team for Century 21 Pro-Realty.

 He enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, boating, snorkeling, and diving, as well as non-commercial lobstering, and crabbing.   He had a gift for renovating and remodeling homes.  He and Louise loved spending time at SmithIsland in the Chesapeake Bay of MD.

 Bernard was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Thomas and Alice Matthews.  He was a 1962 graduate of Oxon Hill Senior High School.  He is survived by: his wife Louise of 35 years; his three sons Bernard, Jeffrey, and Nathan, and daughter-in-laws, Laurel, Jessamyne, and Rose; six grandchildren, Matthew, Christina, Joel, Nathan, Jr., Jacob and Madelyne; two great-granddaughters, Emily and Melody.  He is also survived by his sister whom he loved dearly – Judy and brother-in-law Mike Roane as well as their daughter Kim Gromos and her son Brenden.  And his sisters and brothers-in-law Diane Bley, Rebecca and Jim Link, Clyde and Judy Male, and Jonathan Male as well as many nieces and nephews.

 In addition to his parents, he was predeceased in death by his sister-in-law Susan Yobst, brother-in-law Paul Bley, and his beautiful nephew Andrew Bley.

 Bernard loved the Lord.  When able, he attended HopeFellowshipChurch in Frisco, TX.  Usually a 20 minute visit was his limit due to pain, but Pastor John McKinzie didn’t mind.  Pastor John baptized Bernard in 2008 and will conduct a “blessing of the earthly ashes.”

 Bedridden, Bernard enjoyed hearing the ministry of Pastors Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyers, and Joel Osteen every evening.  He loved the “Word” of God.  At various times that he was hospitalized or in a skilled nursing facility, it was not unusual to find staff circled around his bed, holding hands, singing gospels, and praying.

 Hospice Compassus, McKinney, TX, has been an integral and blessed part of Bernard’s life since January, 2012.  God’s Angels in human form; and a special thank you to Dr. LeJuene and Dawn Walker, RN.  They made it possible for Bernard to remain at home until his passing which was an answer to Louise and Bernard’s prayers.

 A local “Celebration of Life” will be held on December 7, 2013.

 An extended family “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of

ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

214-306-6700

    Marcia Jarrard
    27 Nov 2013
    5:22pm

    Hello, Louise: I’m Mike Roane’s
    sister. I was very saddened to learn of your loss. I know Bernard will be greatly missed. I pray for you “peace that passes all understanding”. Condolences,
    Marcia Jarrard (Rockmart, Ga.)

    Cher & Bob Gill
    27 Nov 2013
    7:09pm

    We are so sorry to hear about Bernie. We are so glad that we knew him and was befriended by him and Louise. Theirs was a beautiful love story and they always made life seem so beautiful and meaningful – thank you, Bernie and you, Louise, for that. Bernie will always be a beautiful memory for us. We love you, Louise.

    Doris Baker
    27 Nov 2013
    9:26pm

    Louis & Family
    With deepest sympathy and love
    Doris Baker
    Fort Washington, Maryland

    Marie Harrison Boring
    27 Nov 2013
    11:17pm

    May Bernie’s soul rest in peace.

    Aunt Cass, Susan, Robert & Billy
    8 Dec 2013
    2:40pm

    Dear Louise & Family
    Our deepest sympathy in the loss of a wonderful person. He will always be in our memories and never leave our hearts.
    With love to all and our Condolences

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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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