Beralean T. (Stanback) Mathews

Our beloved sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend Beralean T. Stanback-Mathews known affectionately as "Berl: or "Candy," peacefully, was called home to be with God on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Born on June 27, 1934, in Imperial, Pennsylvania, Beralean was the oldest child of Mildred Woods Stanback and Herbet Stanback. She attended the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Letsche Elementary, Miller Middle, and Fifth Avenue High Schools. Beralean met William (Bill) Earl Mathews in their neighborhood, the Hill District. Her sister described Bill as "having a voice like Nat King Cole," and would always say, "I am going to marry her." Bill and Beralean courted, then got married in 1960 at Central Baptist Church on Center Avenue, in the Hill District.

After graduating from High School, Beralean worked in the dietary department at Presbyterian Hospital. Later she worked as a Para (classroom assistant) for East Hills Elementary School (Pittsburgh Public) until retirement. Beralean's love and care for children extended outside of the classroom and school district. She became a foster parent for the Pressley Ridge Schools and fostered over 60 children in her home. Beralean adopted four of the children that were in her care. Beralean was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Herbert Stanback, husband William Earl Mathews Sr., and William Earl Mathews Jr., sister Zettia Kirkland, and brothers Charles Stanback and William Lee (Billy) Stanback. 

Beralean leaves to cherish her memories two sisters, Olivia Ramsey-Pinkney, Pittsburgh, and Carolvenia Richardson, Minnesota: two daughters Veronica Wilson (Ronald Sr), and Beralean Mathews Dixon ( the late DeWitt Dixon, Sr.), and son Mark Mathews (Suzan Diamond), Shedrea Johnson, Jamal Johnson, Dene Johnson, and Devontae Johnson, Grandchildren: Hannah M. Mathews, Ronald Wlson Jr. (Ron-Ron), Shania Wilson, Aaron Mathews, DeWitt Dixon, Brandi Dixon.

Great-grandchildren; Raelon Wilson, Marc Wilson, Brazil Wilson, Niko Wilson, D'mysha Briscoe, Aarion Mathews, Gabrielle (Gabby) Alveraze, Malachi Johnson, Chancellor McCowin, Chase McCowin, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and friends. 

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