Carol Suzanne Suzy Hudson Matthews of St. James, Mo. passed away at her home on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. She was 56 years, 3 months and 24 days of age.

Carol Suzanne Suzy Hudson Matthews of St. James, Missouri, was born on September 21, 1957 in Charleston, SC to her wonderful parents, Willard Emerson (Bill) Hudson and Helen Mae (Hedy Jane) Hudson. She attended Westminister Christian School and graduated in 1975 and attended the University of Miami and graduated from nursing school in Naples, Florida in 1980. Suzy was united in marriage to Robert Kenneth (Ken) Matthews in Naples, Florida on May 15, 1962 and they were married for 31 years.

Suzy began her nursing career at Naples Community Hospital in January of 1981 and served in oncology, radiology and special procedures. After moving to St. James, Mo. in 2001, Suzy worked as a nurse at the Missouri Veterans Home. She considered it an honor and privilege to take care of our country's veterans and she cared for her patients as if they were her own family. She was proud to have been named Employee of the Month in 2007, an honor given to the top employee in system of all Veterans Homes in Missouri. She retired from nursing in 2009 because of health issues.

Suzy was extremely proud of her family and her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Suzy is survived by four children and their families, including Robert Emerson (Bobby) Matthews and his wife, Ashley and their daughter Brooklyn Reese of St. James; Kristyn Suzanne (Kristy) Matthews, her partner, Andy Grabowski and children, Alexa Mae Damewood, and Dalton Andrew Grabowski of St. James; Tannie Lorraine Sauers, her husband, Bobby and children, Cassanndra, Kialeith, and Alexis of Licking; and Kenneth William (Billy) Matthews and wife, Wendy and their son Christian, of Lakeland, Florida.
In addition, she is survived by her sister, Sherri Summers, her husband, Alan, and their three children, Samantha Skye, Olivia Joy, and Wesley Emerson, of Marietta, Georgia; three special sisters-in-law, including Linda Peachey, of St. James, Mo. , Brenda Chambers and husband Don, of Vichy and Sheila Matthews of St. James. She also leaved behind several nieces and nephews, numerous extended family members and many close friends, especially her co-workers at the Veterans Home, Patti Rowland, Barb Mathis, and Nancy Maddocks; and close childhood friends, Carol (Maxey) Boyd of Cordell, Georgia and Joanne Tull of West Palm Beach, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, her father-in-law, Robert (Bob) Matthews and mother-in-law, Theresa Matthews.

Suzy was very thankful for the excellent medical care she received from Dr. Javed, Dr. Ali and Dr. Grace Beaumont of Mercy Clinics; as well as Dr. Sunna at the University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. She also wanted to thank Phelps Regional Homecare and its caring hospice staff.

Services
Visitation for Carol Matthews will be from 6 - 8 PM on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 2 PM at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo. with Lindy Hardick officiating. Pallbearers will be Chas Gunter, Bobby Sauer, Andy Graboski, J.T. Payne, J.C. White and Mickey. Burial will be in the family plot at the St. James Cemetery in St. James, Mo.

Memorial gifts may be made in Suzy's honor to the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James or the Russell House.

All arrangement are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.