Mrs. Sara Laureta Vaughan Matthews, age 101, departed this life on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at home with her two daughters comforting her. She was born to the late Pearl and Sarah Vaughan in Petersburg, Virginia.

Laureta spent her primary school years in the Petersburg School System. She completed her secondary education at D. Webster Davis High School on the campus of Virginia State College. She graduated from Virginia State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health & Physical Education. Laureta later earned a Master's Degree in Science from Virginia State University.

Upon graduation, Laureta began her teaching career in Columbia, SC. Later, after marriage and children, Laureta taught at Carter G. Woodson High School in Hopewell, VA. At Carter G. Woodson High School, she taught Biology, coached the girls' basketball team and was the advisor for the Junior/Senior Prom. She taught in the Petersburg School System until her retirement.

Laureta married the love of her life, Shelton M. Matthews on June 11, 1946. They moved to Frankfort, Kentucky while Shelton finished his degree program at Kentucky State University. In 1947, they moved to Nashville, TN, where Shelton began his coaching and teaching career. In 1949, Shelton and Laureta moved to Ettrick, VA, where Shelton (fondly called "POST") was hired as the basketball coach at Virginia State University. Laureta (fondly called "MRS. POST") was an avid supporter of the teams that he coached. She spent a great deal of time cheering them on at games; feeding them during holiday tournaments; washing the clothes of some players; housing out-of-town girlfriends and transporting players to games.

Laureta was a member of several community organizations. She was a lifelong member of Zion Baptist Church. She was a member of the Petersburg Chapter, and later the Durham Chapter of the National Epicureans, Inc. She was a Past National President of the organization. Laureta was also an active member of several alumni chapters which included D. Webster Davis High School, Peabody High School and Virginia State University (Greater Petersburg Chapter). In addition, she served on the Blue-Ribbon Committee for Virginia State University and was initiated into the Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Laureta was a dedicated and devoted mother to Cassandra and Yvonne. After Shelton's death she focused all her energy to raising her daughters and ensuring their wellbeing.  She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Catherine V. Bland and brother, Robert L. Vaughan; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Cherishing her memory are her two daughters, Cassandra M. Smith (Sherwood) and Yvonne M. Fleming (William); four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved dearly.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 16, 2026, at Zion Baptist Church, 225 Byrne Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Delano Douglas, Interim Pastor, and Rev. Odis B. Walker, eulogist. The interment to follow at City Point National Cemetery.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911 , watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5659429?fl=so&fe=fs