My Grandmother: September 13, 1925 – March 10, 2018
Four Generations On this special day—September 13, 2025, what would have been her 100th birthday—I find myself reflecting on a woman whose influence still resonates in my heart: Mrs. Julia Dean Matthews. To the world, she was a devoted wife, mother, and servant of God. To me, she was so much more—my sister in Christ, my beloved Grandma, and a cherished friend. I can still hear her voice, as clear as ever. It was a voice that brought joy with its humor, uplifted souls through prayer, offered steadfast encouragement, and embodied the quiet strength of a faithful servant. And it was the only voice in the world that called me “Shelly,” wrapping me in a warmth that distance could never diminish. As a missionary kid growing up in Africa, oceans separated us from family back home. For years, Grandma existed to me only through crackling phone lines. Yet those calls forged a bond deeper than miles could measure—her voice became my anchor, a lifeli...
