Obituary

Mrs. Rennea Holland Matthews “Ree, Renay,Reenay, Ronay, Momma, Ma’, Nee Nee, and Me Me,” daughter of James and Jean Williams, was born February 16, 1949. “Ree,” as she was more affectionately called, departed this earthly life to be with her Lord and Savior September 26, 2016.

Rennea was blessed with a loving family. She married her“soulmate,” Russell Vanderbilt Matthews, on October 28, 1967 in Silver Spring, MD.  Russell and Rennea raised three wonderful children.

She graduated from Springbrook High School in 1968 and worked for Montgomery County Public School’s Pre-K Headstart Program for 42 years as a Family Service Worker.  She later returned to school and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Union Leadership and Administration from the National Labor College.

All of Rennea’s activities were centered on her family and church. She loved to travel and frequently did so with family and friends. She was a member of the Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, MD and served as the lead facilitator for the church’s Grief Care Ministry and in the New Beginnings Ministry.

Rennea was adopted as an infant, and she always felt the utmost gratitude to her birth family for placing her with adoptive parents who loved her unconditionally.

Rennea was preceded in death by her mother, Jean H. Williams, sister, Kathy, and brother in-law, Ronnie.

Those left to cherish memories of her life include: husband, Russell; children, Russell III, Rawn (Cynthia), and Robyn; grandchildren, Russell IV, Austin, Gynger, Zoey, and Delonte; great grandchildren, Bradley and Frankie; siblings, Gregory, Kermit, Buddy, and Lynda; brother in-law, Tommy, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, MD at 7 p.m. on October 6, 2016 with a reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Rennea's obituary will be posted in the Washington Post on Monday, 10/3/2016 and will be running online on  (www.washingtonpost.com) for 30 days.