Ernestine J. Matthews

Ernestine Jarrell Matthews, age 102, died April 13, 2009 at Sierra Heath Care Center in Truth or Consequences, NM. In September 2008, Ernestine moved to New Mexico to be closer to her granddaughter. Ernestine was born and raised in Chestertown, MD, moved to Baltimore to find work during the Depression, and returned to Chestertown upon retirement. She was the second eldest of eight children; her parents were Clifton Lloyd Jarrell and Elizabeth Snitcher Jarrell, both of Chestertown. Ernestine’s grandfather was the late George Snitcher who at his death (1904) was a prominent land owner and business man in the Rich Neck section of Queen Anne’s County. As a child, Ernestine lived in the Jarrell Family residence that occupied the corner lot at Washington and Campus Avenues in Chestertown. The home was built by Walter T. Pippin in 1907, but unhappily caught fire in November 1914 and was completely destroyed. After the fire, the Jarrell family occupied every room on two floors of the Imperial Hotel, Chestertown. They resided in the hotel for 14 months and thus became an interesting curiosity in the history of the hotel. Ernestine married David Stanley Matthews of Still Pond, MD in 1927 and they had one daughter, Petie Matthews Crismer. Ernestine and Stanley were married 50 years until his death in 1977. Ernestine graduated from Chestertown High School in 1925, where she completed a business line of study that allowed her to take a job with Commercial Credit Corporation, Baltimore, MD, in 1931. She worked 38 years at Commercial Credit and retired in 1969. In 1956, after 25 years’ continuous service with Commercial Credit, she qualified for “The 25-Year Special Compensation,” which entailed a bonus and four-weeks’ vacation. With the ultimate destination of Niagara Falls, she and a friend, Chrissie Mitchell, spent the four weeks traveling the East Coast visiting friends and relatives. When living in Baltimore, Ernestine was a long-time resident of the Northwood Community and a member of the Northwood Appold United Methodist Church, on Lock Raven Blvd. In 1970, Ernestine and her husband built a house and moved back to Chestertown. At this time, Ernestine joined the Chestertown First United Methodist Church – the same church she belonged to as a child and young adult in Chestertown. From 1970 until 2006, she was an active member of the church and made many good friends through church activities. She was a long-time member of Trinity Circle, served as its secretary, and enjoyed hosting holiday parties for the circle in her home. In 1984, she made her first trip to Europe and spent two weeks in Denmark and Sweden. Ernestine was a charming, engaging woman who enjoyed a broad network of friends and acquaintances that she maintained until her health declined. She is preceded in death by her husband, David Stanley Matthews; her daughter, Petie Matthews Crismer; and her sisters: Emma E. Jarrell Bennett; Kathryn Jarrell Norris Florie; Edith Jarrell Lotman; Martha May Jarrell Legg; Rebecca Jarrell May, and her brothers: George Henry Jarrell, and Clifton Lloyd Jarrell . She is survived by her grandchildren: Karen Dean, Truth or Consequences, NM; Pat Dean Brick, Chevy Chase, MD; Walt Dean, Baltimore, MD; her great grandchildren, Catie Brick and Colin Brick. Services will be held on Friday April 17, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Rd. Chestertown, MD where friends and family may call one hour prior. Interment will be in Chester Cemetery. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, www.fhnfuneralhome.com