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Her laugh was contagious and her love for the little things in life kept her filled with gratitude.

Wanda Roark Matthews passed away on September 12, 2026. She was born in Houston, Texas on April 6, 1943, the daughter of Leola Burk Roark and Garland Roark. The family moved to Nacogdoches, Texas in 1952. Wanda attended the University of Texas, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the Theta Octet. She received her B.S. and M.A. in History from Stephen F. Austin State University and was a Ph.D. candidate in American History from the University of Georgia.

She taught at several colleges and universities in Texas and Georgia, worked for the Department of Health and Human Services in the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, and later in the Training Department of the Social Security Administration. In 1979, she co-founded Ledbetter/Harris & Associates, a Management Training and Consulting company, designing and presenting training courses locally and internationally.

In August of 2000, Wanda married Thomas Matthews at their church in Atlanta. Soon after, they moved to Hampton, Virginia, where Tom served as Minister of Music/Organist and Choirmaster at Hampton Baptist Church. Wanda sang tenor and later became a deacon. Their home quickly became an extension of the church. Wednesday night choir practices often continued to communal gatherings at their home. In addition to the role they played in the music department, they both took a special interest in the seniors of the church, often bringing them together for fun outings.

Wanda’s family spent her childhood summers at the Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder, Colorado, a practice she continued as an adult, introducing her son and daughter-in-law to the magical community. She loved singing in a choir, beginning at age five and continuing throughout her life. Each October, Wanda would return to Texas for a “Slumber Party” with her dear friends from High School, the “Coquettes.” She was the standard for dinner parties and all things host related. Her laugh was contagious and her love for the little things in life kept her filled with gratitude.

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She was the standard for dinner parties and all things host related.

Wanda is survived by her son, John Roark Ledbetter and his wife, Kristen; stepsons, Toby Matthews (wife, Deborah) and Bart Matthews; her nieces and nephew in Texas and Colorado, Jeff Austin III, Mary Austin and Leigh Mattson; as well as several grand nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in October at Hampton Baptist Church. Please check back for details.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Endowment Fund at Hampton Baptist Church, 40 Kingsway, Hampton, Virginia.