Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthFeb 8, 1931, Alamance County, North Carolina24,631,3, Joseph Franklin “Joe” Matkins
DeathSep 15, 2017, Alamance County, North Carolina3, Joseph Franklin “Joe” Matkins
BurialShiloh United Methodist Church, 4718 Hwy 87N, Alamance County, North Carolina3, Joseph Franklin “Joe” Matkins
FatherJohn Calvin MATKINS Sr. (1898-1958)
MotherOra Mae GILLIAM (1902-1977)
Spouses
ChildrenFreida Jo (1958-2010)
Obituary Online notes for "Joe" Joseph Franklin MATKINS
9/17/2017

Joseph Franklin “Joe” Matkins

ELON - Mr. Joseph Franklin “Joe” Matkins, age 86, passed away Friday, September 15, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family.
A native of Alamance County he was the son of the late John Calvin and Ora Mae Gilliam Matkins and husband of Bernice Underwood Matkins, who survives.

Joe was a longtime member of Shiloh United Methodist Church where he served as a musician and sang in the choir. God gifted him with exceptional musical talent, which he expressed throughout his life. He used his gift through many outlets to praise God and bring joy to those around him.

In 1958, he founded AAA Signs and operated it until his retirement in 1998. After building a successful business in outdoor advertising, he started painting landscape and floral art as a hobby. As one who had a genuine and adoring appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation, he found this to be an enjoyable and fitting expression of worship of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He enthusiastically continued learning and perfecting his craft, painting with master artists around the country; becoming certified in several painting techniques and mediums. He has instructed many people to learn to paint and brought encouragement and beauty through his art to help others appreciate the splendor of God’s world that he enjoyed.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Bernice Underwood Matkins of the home; his daughter, Teresa M. Frazier and husband, Chris, of Burlington; grandchildren, David Rickman and wife, Kirsten, of Elon, Kelley R. Taylor and husband, Ben, of Burlington and Bryan Frazier of Burlington; great-grandchildren, Caleb and Daniel Taylor; and a sister, Mildred Garrison and husband, Bill, of Elon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Freida M. Rickman; and two brothers, George W. Matkins and J.C. Matkins Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, September 18, 2017 in Shiloh United Methodist Church by Rev. T. Judson Dunlap, pastor. Interment will follow in Shiloh Church Cemetery. Mr. Matkins will remain at Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory until being taken to the church for services.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh UMC, 4718 NC 87 North, Gibsonville, NC 27249, or to Hospice of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington NC 27215.

You may sign the online register book at
www.lowefuneralhome.com. 3, Joseph Franklin “Joe” Matkins
Last Modified Dec 11, 2021Created Jun 29, 2025 using Reunion for Macintosh
Created Jun 29, 2025 by Terry M. Whitesell

© WhitesellSomers.com

"This information is provided for the free use of those engaged in non-commercial genealogical research. Any commercial use is prohibited."