10/04/2024
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to inform you of the transition of Archpriest Loretta Reed Matthews on Monday, September 30, 2024.
The daughter of the late Rev. Martha V. Reed, who was the first female ordained Elder in the West Tennessee Conference, and the late Rev. Sam Reed, a Baptist Minister. She grew up in Memphis with her three brothers and two sisters. She received her degree in business administration from Henderson Business College in Memphis, TN. A third generation member of the AME Church; served as Church School Superintendent of Payne Chapel AME Church, Nashville, TN for 20 years; served as a Steward, Trustee, and member of the Finance Committee, organized and became the first president of the “Voices for Christ,” Gospel Choir while a member of Payne; organized a Women’s Support Group at Salem AME Church in Nashville; has been a member of a Prison Ministry for over 26 years where twice a month she goes to the Tennessee Women’s Prison for Bible Study and Worship. She has received many commendations for services rendered. In 1990, Sister Matthews was elected president of the Tennessee Conference Lay Organization. During her tenure as president, she instituted the Tennessee Conference Lay Scholarship which continues. In 1997 she was elected and served for 8 years as the 13th Episcopal District Lay president, she instituted the District Annual Lay Convention which continues. While serving as District Lay president, she also served as president of the Connectional Lay President’s Council. She was past secretary of the Nashville Branch NAACP. She is a published writer, and has had articles published in The Liberation and Unity, a Lenten publication by the Consultation on Church Union. She has also written the Adult and Intermediate Lessons for the AME Church School. Sister Matthews completed a Citizens Leadership Academy sponsored by the University of Kentucky Outreach Partnership Center in Lexington, Kentucky, where she and Pastor Matthews applied for, successfully wrote and received a grant for a Quinn Chapel (Lexington, KY) Summer Youth Project. Sister Matthews was employed as a Federal Investigator with the U. S. Department of Labor for 25 years until her retirement in 1995. She was married to Bishop E. Holmes Matthews, Jr. for 32 years, a retired AME pastor, and on December 3, 2006, they organized a new non-denominational ministry, Naaman’s Retreat Ministries, Inc. which held its initial service on that date. Their Motto is: “Looking for the Overlooked and Touching the Untouchable.” In October 2008 the Lord called her to another ministry and Sister Matthews was ordained Deacon in the African Orthodox Church, and her status changed from Sister Matthews to Reverend Matthews. She is called “Pastor Lo” by the Naaman’s congregation. Pastor Lo is a volunteer chaplain for the Tennessee Women’s Prison system. On August 6, 2011, Pastor Lo was ordained one of four (4) female Priests in the African Orthodox Church at St. Augustine African Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois. She was ordained by Archbishop Franzo Wayne King of the Jurisdiction of the West. Bishop E. Holmes Matthews, Jr. on August 7, 2011 was consecrated a Bishop in the African Orthodox Church at St. Augustine African Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois. Together Bishop Matt and Pastor Lo, have one son and four daughters; several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pastor Lo’s life is a testimony of the goodness of God; she was willing to serve in any capacity and at any time. To God be the Glory!
Condolences may be sent to:
Bishop E. Holmes Matthews, Jr.
506 W. Due West Avenue
Madison, Tennessee, 37115
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 615- 868-5408 or 615-275-8063
CashApp: $EHolmesMatthews (Naaman’s Retreat Ministries)
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Naaman’s Retreat Ministries
c/o St. Basil’s Cathedral Orthodox Church
355 Tusculum Road
Nashville, TN 37211
Visitation: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CST
Service: 11:00 AM – 12:30 CST
Repast: 12:30 PM CST
St. Basil’s Cathedral Orthodox Church
355 Tusculum Road
Nashville, TN 37211
Entombment: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 Time: TBD EST
Vine Street Hill Cemetery
“Garden of Faith”
3701 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45220
