Matilda High Cannon Carter

From this world of pain and sorrow to the land of peace and rest: God has taken our dear love one, where she’ll find eternal rest. God knew that she was suffering, and the hills were hard to climb, So he closed her weary eyelids and whispered,” Peace Be Thine.”

Christianity does not exempt one from death, it only ensures triumph over death. There is no other way of entrance into Our Heavenly Father’s House.

On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 3:00 p.m., our beloved departed this life for her eternal rest while in the care of Emporia Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. She was born July 1, 1926, to the late Horace High and Josephine Garner High.

After an all too brief time watching her daughter grow up, Matilda’s mother passed away. Matilda was only 18 months old. Cousin Mary, as she was affectionately called, was her mother at age 4 until her death. She appeared to be the apple of her father’s eyes as he took her with him while he performed farm chores. She said he taught her many skills on the farm, always saying, “You need to learn this.”

And learn she did. While showing her how to work the land her father Horace also taught her his philosophy of life, of faith, and of education. Matilda took this all in and later passed these values and lessons on to her child and students.

During her youth, she joined Macedonia Baptist Church and has held her membership continuously. At a church activity, she met Ivory Cannon, son of the late Thomas and Bessie Holmes from the Essex County Area. After a reasonable courtship, Ivory told Matilda that he was thinking about getting married and wanted to know if she was thinking about marriage also. She said that she was. They were married on Aug 2, 1952. They had one son, Tommy.

After 27 years of marriage, Ivory died suddenly at the young age of 70. Despite being a widow Matilda maintained strong faith in God. She stated the 4 great men in her life were: father, Horace Hartwell High; Savior Jesus Christ, - Baptized September 11, 1936 at Macedonia; first husband, Ivory Cannon and her second husband, Gassaway Carter.

Matilda believed that education was an ongoing process which begins at birth and ends at death. Her academic achievements included the following: Graduation from Greensville County Public Schools; received a Secretarial Certificate from Saint Paul College; earned a B.S. Degree from Hampton University and continued to develop teaching skills at Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University and University of Maryland. She was a teacher at Westmoreland County for 8 years and 22 years at Essex County School.

Matilda’s faith was also an important and integral part of her life. At Macedonia Baptist Church, Matilda was president of the WIC, President of the Deaconess Ministry, and a member of the Usher Board. Perhaps, her most pleasurable service to the church is welcoming visitors. For her family, Matilda created a home where prayer was encouraged: meals were blessed; and church attendance was mandatory.

To what did Matilda attribute her longevity? Strong faith in God, hard work, an optimistic attitude, a supportive network of friends and family and a lifelong interest in learning and appreciating new things. Matilda’s legacy is cherished and remembered by: daughter-in-law, Patricia Cannon; grandson Brandon Cannon; brother, Eugene Highe (Eula); sister, Delma Antorn; sister, Rosa Simmons; brother, Stephen High (Delmarie); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Relatives and Friends are encouraged to visit Mrs. Carter's tribute wall to share memories, extend condolences and to order floral tributes, as sentiments to the family. 

The Management and Staff of Knox-High Mortuary, Inc. is privileged to provide

"Distinctive Services, With The Essence Of Excellence"

to the family of Mrs. Matilda High Cannon Carter.

 "Diligent in Business; Fervent in Spirit." - Romans: 12:11

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