Promoted to Glory: Lt. Colonel Evelyn Matthes

Lt. Colonel Evelyn Matthes was Promoted to Glory on April 27, 2023, from CelesteCare in Llano, Texas. She was 82.

Evelyn Teresa Matthes was born June 25, 1940, to parents Paul T. & Evelyn N. Matthes in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her parents modeled active soldiership and local Officership, so it was natural for Evelyn to eventually take her own place as the Girl Guard leader of the newly-formed troop. In doing so she found a ministry that would be a part of her lifelong service to God.

As a youth, the Territorial Youth Institute was a vital part of her spiritual journey. Her mother, then the Young People's Sergeant-Major in Orlando, Florida at the time, once stated that TYI was where Evelyn made her most important decisions. The most notable of these being her positive answer to God's call to Salvation Army Officership.

She entered the School for Officers Training from Pensacola, Florida as a member of the Soldiers Of Christ Session—the first two-year class instituted that year. She was commissioned on May 19, 1962, being sent to Lakeland, Florida as assistant corps officer.

Appointments followed as librarian at the School for Officers Training; Guard and Sunbeam director in the Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi Division; Territorial Guard and Sunbeam director at THQ in Atlanta; and, divisional youth secretary for the Kentucky-Tennessee Division.

In February 1984, she returned to territorial headquarters as assistant secretary for personnel, and was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel. She served in that final appointment for over 20 years, until her retirement on January 1, 2006.

In her final years of active Officership, and well into years of retirement, "Momma Matthes" was faithful in her ministry to young people both at TYI and the Atlanta Temple Corps. She also found joy as a mentor to cadets at the training college.

She never stopped witnessing about the love, mercy, and grace of God. She lived her life in accordance with Psalm 78:4—We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders. She even had "Next Generation" tattooed on her wrist as her testimony.

Lt. Colonel Evelyn Matthes is preceded in death by her parents; and one cousin, Brigadier Louise Pertain. She is survived by adopted daughter Kristine (Charley) Adams, who provided loving care for her in her final years. She also leaves a granddaughter, Emma (Tyler) Sorrels; as well as one cousin, Mary Pertain Freeman.

A Celebration Of Life service is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Atlanta Temple Corps. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to The Salvation Army to be used for youth ministry.