Matthew Beavers August 22, 1933 – December 13, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Matthew Beavers, 85, of Rome, Georgia (formerly of Kansas City, Missouri) passed away peacefully at his residence on December 13, 2018. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 17, 2018, at Wright Memorial Mortuary from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018, at 2:00 PM at Watkins Heritage Chapel at 2:00 PM, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Reverend Wallace S. Hartsfield, II of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery. Matthew was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 22, 1933, to Matthew and Clementa Jean Beavers.
Matthew was the eldest of eight children. He attended W.W. Yates Elementary School and graduated with The Class of 1951 from R.T. Coles Vocational High School. At R.T. Coles, he participated in the band; played piano, and lettered in football.
With his musical gift of playing the piano and the assistance of a scholarship donor, in 1956 he earned a Bachelor’s of Music in Theory and Composition from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music. Matthew was a member of the U.S. Army from September 1956 to September 1958. During his time in the Army, he was stationed in areas of the Far East and Japan.
He earned an MM Badge (Rifle M-1) and a Good Conduct Medal. After his military service, Matthew returned to his hometown of Kansas City. In 1959, he was employed at the Ford Motor Company Claycomo Plant.
Matthew worked on the assembly line for a few years, until an opportunity came for him to move into management. In 1962, with his college degree and the assistance of the NAACP of Kansas City, Matthew became the first Black salaried employee at the plant. He eventually was promoted as a manager in the Quality Control division.
After 35 years of service to Ford Motor Company, he retired in 1994. He was an avid golfer; winning many local and regional amateur tournaments. In his retired life, he enjoyed watching the Golf Channel at any time of the day.
Matthew was a member of the Rome, GA NAACP Chapter, UMKC Alumni Association, and the U.S. Golf Association. If you ever met Matthew, he loved to talk. He knew a little bit about everything going on in the world and didn’t hesitate to share his opinion with you.
He was kind and accepting to all that crossed his path in life and always treated people with dignity and respect. Matthew is preceded in death by his parents, Matthew Beavers, Sr., Clementa Jean Beavers Causey, and Andrew Causey; three brothers, Raymond Beavers, Leewall Beavers, and Carter Beavers, and three sisters, Martha Carter, Virginia (Judy) Thompson, and Orera (LaDean) Wilson. Matthew is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 56 years, Ollie Mae Beavers (Rome, GA), one daughter, Toi Beavers (Stone Mountain, GA), and one sister, Mrs. Melanie (Clifford) Jones (Raytown, MO).
Also, mourning his passing are a host of sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make monetary donations in his memory to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music. Online: umkcfoundation.org Mail: UMKC Foundation 202 Administrative Center 5115 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64112 The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Floyd Heyman Hospice Care and the many relatives and family friends that volunteered their support in his final days.
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