Evangelist Annie L. Matthews was born and reared in Rayne, Louisiana to the late Reverend August and Mrs. Louretta Hamilton Washington, and is the youngest of 14 siblings.

Annie was a 1970 honor graduate of Armstrong High School. She was also a 1974 honor graduate of Southern University, and also attended Galveston College, LSUE, and USL (currently known as UL).

In 1978 she was certified to teach in the Vocational-Technical System of Louisiana. In August of 2008, Evangelist Matthews retired from a 32-year teaching career. Clinton High and Opelousas Catholic High are the high schools where she taught in the past. In addition to these high schools, she also taught at Louisiana Technical College in Crowley, Louisiana, for 30 years. Annie was the first full-time African American instructor to be hired by that college and was the first Black to be appointed to the position of Department Head. Annie served as an instructor and as Head of the Business Department where she supervised several business instructors. She taught business-related skills to thousands of students, advised them on career choices, and assisted them in finding their proper career paths.

Annie was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost in January 1984. She accepted the call to preach the uncompromised Word of God in June 1985 while she held membership at the Rayne Church of God in Christ. It was there where she met her husband, local author, Reverend Keith N. Matthews, Pastor of Greater Mt. Zion. She was later ordained to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and was registered in Acadia Parish as a minister. Pastor Keith and Evangelist Annie were the founders of Ambassador Ministries, Inc. They were also the parents of one son and one daughter—Charles and Kedra Lynn.

At Greater Mt. Zion/Ambassador Ministries, Inc. Lady Annie served in many capacities including Business Manager, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School coordinator, New Converts instructor, Praise Team member, and Mission President. Among her duties as First Lady, she served as an Evangelist and Head of the Women’s Department, giving her oversight of the Community Outreach Ministries, Mothers’ Board, Deaconess Board, Adam & Eve Ministry, Usher Board, Pastor’s Aid Department, Prayer Band, as well as all issues and concerns of the women of the ministry. Lady Annie had a beautiful voice and was fervent in her God-assigned ministry and calling as an Evangelist.

Evangelist Annie L. Matthews was a 2010 recipient of the “Woman of Excellence” award given by the Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women. It was her desire to bring glory to God as never before as she worked in full-time ministry. She served faithfully and steadfastly in the ministry at the side of her husband, Rev. Keith N. Matthews, for 36 years. Rev. Matthews “finished his course” on February 13, 2021. Six days later, on February 19, 2021, Lady Annie Matthews went to be with her Lord.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Charles Cory Williams; her daughter, Kedra Lynn Matthews; one sister, Maudry Washington-Rubin (Emile) of Rayne, LA; two brothers, John Washington of Galveston, TX and Matthew Washington (Elnora) of Duson, LA.

First Lady Annie L. Matthews was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Keith N. Matthews; her parents, Reverend August and Mrs. Louretta Hamilton Washington; three sisters, Louella Washington-Beverly-Bazile, Lillie Mae Washington-Goldsmith and Alnetta Washington-Mitchell; seven brothers, Augdon Washington Sr., Austin Washington, Lester James Washington, Leroy Washington, Elridge Washington, Joseph Washington and Lawrence Washington.

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