Born Mattie Ree Leslie on December 3, 1935, to her loving parents, Felton Leon Leslie and Mattie
Davidson, who preceded her in death, Mattie Ree had no choice but to be exceptional. Her kind heart
and loving spirit touched everyone she encountered. Her personality was captivating.
In her early years, she learned the value of hard work by working with her dad and aunt in Knoxville,
TN. She learned and mastered everything from hospitality to hosting. She later married, had
children, and used catering as a livelihood to care for her family. She was a fantastic cook and highly
successful caterer because it combined several of the things she loved: food, friends, and fun.
Mattie Ree was a people person. Those that came to visit usually wanted to stay. Friends would stop
by and eventually become family. Everyone in the neighborhood knew who she was and what she
believed. Her favorite scripture was John 10:10, “I have come, that they may have life and life more
abundantly;” and abundantly she lived.
Living life to the fullest was a ritual--traveling, seeing new things, and meeting new people. It was
important to her for her children to be introduced to the extraordinary things of life. She instilled in
them to never accept defeat. Learn all you can from every situation and use it to better yourself.
Settling for less was never an option. This value extended far past her children—all children connected to her became her children as well. If she had it, everyone had it because she believed in “the village.”
She eventually set catering aside and became one of the first black women to work on the line at
Raytheon. She moved from there to Chrysler as a production worker, from which she later retired
after 18 years. After retirement, she traveled and continued to experience life to the fullest.
Mattie Ree was the mother of nine children:
Gaylord L. Leslie (deceased), Sandra A. Hyder-Wesley (Arthur), Darlene Hyder (Fergus), Wanda
J. Leslie, Nadine Leslie (deceased), Leslie A. Matthews, Leo Matthews Jr. (Deborah), Nicole
Matthews, and Felton L. Matthews (Dawn). Along with her children, she leaves to cherish her memory:
one brother, Glenn (Ruby) Moore; one nephew, G. Rashad Moore; one niece, Latonya Moore; a
sister-cousin, Louise Sloan of Cleveland, OH; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two great-nieces; two great-nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
Mattie Ree was the ultimate example of living an abundant, Godly life. She was a constant pillar of
strength, continuously overcoming insurmountable trials and making it look easy. She loved God, her
family, and dancing. And now, the spectacular, extraordinary, one of a kind Mattie Ree, is dancing
with our Heavenly Father forever.