Irma Brown Matchett (1928-2015)

MATCHETT, BROWN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 11/26/2015 at 20:08:28

From Stevens Memorial Chapel obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Irma Brown Matchett
April 29, 1928 - November 19, 2015

When Irma Matchett, affectionately known as Irma, was born on April 29, 1928 in the sleepy town of Mooresville, NC outside Charlotte. She was born into a world legally divided by race and racial prejudice - world that truly needed pioneers to help, to even help her fellow Christians, many who made race bigger than Christ. She used her 87 years well, in helping and inspiring many generations of people of every race and hue, both at home and in distant lands, to see that they could do better, do more, and do so with a firm, but humble spirit. But, she did not just talk the talk; she walked the walk.

People trusted her not just with their causes, but with their hearts. She was in every setting exemplary of the "cream rising to the top." She was a natural leader, truly one who nourished, a cultivator of good character, and a gifted teacher and writer.

Her earthly achievements took her, her husband of 43 years, the late Dr. Arnett Matchett, and her two sons, Ron Matchett (Muhammad Abdullah) and Jerry Matchett, from the south to here in the Midwest, to our nation's capital and full circle back to Iowa. She made an impression, a profound difference wherever she went
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She spent the majority of her last 10 years in the Cedar Rapids Marion area, at Summit Pointe; the first and only African American to reside there, where she was affectionately known as "the Queen." It was not because she sought any such designation, but rather because she carried herself with such dignity, always dressed to the "nines," which means she was immaculate, well-coordinated and fashionable in her appearance, while dignified, even regal, all without pretense. She carried herself as one who genuinely cared about those who crossed her path ministering to them in ways that inspired trust, admiration and love.

Whether in the church, or in her civic organizations or in her chosen nursing profession, these qualities of trust, admiration and commitment to service, would be why she found herself President of United Methodist Women at Ames's Collegiate Methodist Church. This is why she was elected as the first African American to head the prestigious women's service club Altrusa International in Ames. This is why she rose to become the Director of the North Grand Senior Center, Assistant Director of Nursing at Mary Greeeley Hospital, and a host of achievements that all bespeak of the quality of person she was and the pioneering spirit she exemplified.

She was an example worthy of her faith in God, her love of family and friends, and her commitment to serve God wherever her path might lead, and in whatever way she could… even if she had to be the first to do so; and to do so with excellence, grace, and a genuine spirit of humility.

She instilled and passed this pioneering spirit of service on to all who would listen, especially her two sons Ron Matchett (Muhammad Abdullah) and Jerry Matchett. One (Ron) would go off far away to Yale at a time when few Blacks could or did, and the other (Jerry) stayed closer to home; each seeking to honor the family that raised them and to be a credit to the race, for we were reminded, that what we did and how we carried ourselves, would make a difference as to whether others would have an opportunity as well. As the former Chair of the Civil Rights commission and the Martin Luther King Foundation in Cedar Rapids, Jerry exemplified this spirit that both mom and dad instilled in their sons.

However, if all you know, is the things she did, the great things she accomplished, the many lives she touched and still touches even now that she has gone on before, you don't fully know "Irma." That is just the tip of the iceberg of a woman who will be missed, not just by her family, but by her community, by all who knew her.

Possessing a great mind, and a bigger heart, with Irma, you knew where you stood. She could disagree with you without being disagreeable, and she encouraged that in any who would listen. Most did.

Today her work is done, on this side we hear: "thank you Mom, thank you Auntie, thank you Grandma, Thank you friend, thank you ……and no doubt on the other side, the Lord says to her: "well done my good and faithful servant."

Irma Matchett April 29, 1928 to November 19, 2015

http://www.dignitymemorial.com/stevens-memorial-chapel/en-us/index.page
 

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