Quietly on Friday morning, September 21, 2012, at her home in Port Tobacco, Maryland, Helen Matthews entered into eternal rest. Helen was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland on December 15, 1925 to the late Herman James Butler and the late Elizabeth Edith Proctor Butler.

She was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late Lawrence Matthews, Sr. until his death on July 18, 1988.

Helen loved riding the Van Go. She would get on the Nanjemoy Van at the pickup location, 11:15 a.m. Monday through Friday and ride to the La Plata Walmart transfer point, get off the Van there and get on the La Plata Van. She would then ride to Wendy's for lunch. When the next La Plata Van returned to the Seven/Eleven Store, she would get on it and ride back to Walmart. Helen would then get on the Newburg Van and ride to the truck stop, sometimes more than once. If she had a mind to, she would go into the Walmart to do some shopping, get back on the Nanjemoy Van or the La Plata Van and ride around until 5:00 p.m. If she was on the La Plata Van she would get off and get on the Nanjemoy Van heading south on Route 225 and by the time the driver completed the route she would arrive home at approximately 7:15 p.m. This earned her the title "Van Go Queen."

She also went to Nanjemoy and Richard R. Clark Senior Centers on her trips. She loved going to her sister Emma's house every Sunday. On her way she would stop at KFC and get a bucket of chicken and mashed potatoes. Emma would have kale or cabbage, cornbread, mashed potatoes and something to drink. Every holiday she looked forward to going to Emma's house. After they ate, they played deuce-go-wild or sometimes dominoes. She also enjoyed going to Debbie and Jeff's house to eat and just sit and enjoy the sunroom, watching the water.

Helen leaves to cherish her memories her children; Lawrence "Junior" (wife-Elaine), Robert "Bobby" (wife-Pauline), Leroy (wife-Joan), Christine "Sue" and John Louis; grandchildren, Richard "Ricky" Matthews, Cindy (ex-husband-Robert) Carter, Erica (Husband-George) Williams, Derek Matthews and Deidre Matthews; Great Grandchildren; Marc, Andre and Jared Carter, Darius and Darren Matthews and Giovonne, Gabrielle and Giselle Williams, very close friend, Delores Jamieson and very caring and dear young lady, Jessica Collins. A host of nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters; Ruth Swann, Gladys Davis, Georgia Barnes and Emma Swann; brothers; James Clarence "Brother" Butler, Richard Butler and James Charles "Jimmy" Butler.

Her viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 9:00am until Mass of Christian Burial 10:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 201 St. Mary's Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD.

Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD. 20640.