Mr. Matthew Earl Cannon

Matthew E. Cannon, the youngest son, was born to the late Johnny and Emma Cannon. He was educated in the public schools of Richland School District One. After graduate from Booker T. Washington High School in 1947, he entered Benedict College where he received the B.A. Degree. Upon completion of his college degree, he entered the United States Air Force in 1951. After completing a four year tour of duty, he began his teaching career at Booker T. Washington High School, and made a lifelong commitment to the education and development of young people. He received a Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1959; additional post graduate studies were completed at South Carolina State University, and the University of South Carolina. Mr. Cannon taught in several elementary schools before becoming assistant principal at Crayton Middle School, and principal at Atlas Road and Denny Terrace Elementary Schools. He was a lifetime member of First Calvary Baptist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the NAACP. He was an active member of many professional organizations during his employment. In 1994, after thirty-nine years of service, he retired from Richland School District One. He always enjoyed meeting students with whom he had had experiences and listening to them relate an earlier school experience which had some positive impact on their lives. He accepted full responsibility and found every stage of his adult life fulfilling: his tours of duty in the United States Air Force; Classroom teacher; marriage; parenthood; school administrator; retirement and grandfather. He was comfortable with every challenge with which he faced. Because of good health, he enjoyed retirement. He went to bed every night with hopes of waking up the next morning and pursuing one of his hobbies: bowling, golfing, gardening, maintaining his yard, which included his rose bed, or going to the Charles Drew Center to exercise. He received his early Christian training at St. James A.M.E. Church, which is located on Wheeler Hill, where his father was a steward. He and his brothers were baptized at First Calvary Baptist Church, where their mother was a member. First Calvary, at that time, was located on Richland Street. Mr. Cannon was very pleased with his role as church Historian as he worked with the committee to keep the history updated. He leaves as a legacy, the archives in the library which he compiled and established. In 2000, he married Doris Thomas and during the years that followed, they shared numerous travels, worshipping together, social events, and above all, they shared time together which made them happy. As well as his parents; he was predeceased by his first wife, Doris Gilliam Cannon; four brothers: John Edward, Theodore, David (Josephine), and Johnny Cannon, Jr. He was devoted to his family, leaving as survivors; his wife, Doris Thomas Cannon; two children, Nikki and Whitney; a granddaughter, Peyton, and a grandson, Chase; four brothers, William, Clem, Dennis and Joe (Peggy) nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; two step children, James (Candace) Douglas and Rosalyn Carter; six step-grand; sisters and brothers-in-law; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Mr. Matthew Earl Cannon

December 11, 1929 - May 15, 2014