Jessica LaShonda Matthews

Jessica LaShonda (Kirby) Matthews passed away on December 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was born on January 25, 1976 at Noble Army Hospital in Fort McClellan, Alabama to Walker Kirby, Jr. and Griseldra Felecia (Jones) Kirby.

Jessica was a native of Jacksonville, Alabama, and relocated to San Antonio, Texas, in 1991. In September 1994, she enlisted in the United States Navy and attended basic training at the Recruit Training Command located in Great Lakes, Illinois. After serving for 20 years, she retired from the United States Navy in 2014, achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class. Furthermore, she earned her Master of Business Administration.

After completing her basic training, she advanced to Airman Apprentice Training located in Great Lakes, Illinois, and later attended the Naval Aviation Maintenance Logs and Records A-School in Meridian, Mississippi. Following this, she reported to her initial duty station, the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), situated in Mayport, Florida (Sea-duty). Subsequent tours encompassed AIMD Sigonella in Sicily, Italy (Overseas Sea-duty), COMNAVPERSCOM in Millington, Tennessee (Shore duty), COMSEVENTHFLT FDNF in Yokosuka, Japan, service aboard the USS BLUE RIDGE (Overseas Sea-duty), and HQ SACT located in Norfolk, Virginia (Shore-duty).

Petty Officer Matthews graduated with honors from the United States Navy Command Manage Information System Organization Maintenance Activity, First-Line Leadership Development Program, and Yeoman Personnelman Advanced Administration course. Her personal awards included two Joint Service Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals, four FLAG FLOC awards, and numerous campaign and unit awards. She also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration (Management), Associate of Liberal Arts degrees, and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration, all from Saint Leo University.

Jessica was a member of The Bethel Church and enjoyed decorating, shopping, self-care, and spending time with her family and friends.

Family members preceding Jessica in passing are her great-grandmother, Josephine Watley; great-grandfather, John H. Watley; great-aunts, Joyce Watley, Iola Gainer, Johnnie “Tish” Anders and Caroline Watley; great-uncle, Harry “Billy” Woodruff; grandmother, Annie Mae Kirby; grandfathers, Walker Kirby, Sr. and R.D. Sanders; uncles, Eric Jones and Maurice Jones; father-in-law, John J. Matthews, Sr.

Jessica is survived by her loving husband, John J. Matthews, Jr.; children, Lexus Sierra Robinson (Caleb Isaiah), John Mason Matthews, and Jacob Ryan Matthews; grandchild, Baby Robinson due May 2026; parents, Walker Kirby, Jr. and Griseldra Felecia (Jones) Kirby; grandmother, Julia (Watley) Jones; nephews, Kenyon Matthews and Elijah Sims; nieces, Madison Matthews and Emma Sims and a host of cousins, other family members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Bethel Church Food Pantry in honor of Jessica Matthews, www.thebethelexperience.com, go to -Menu – select Giving and select --Pay ---- The Bethel Church-choose Fund: Missions and Mercy. If sending flowers, please have them delivered to 2384 Stoney Glen Drive, Fleming Island, Florida 32003.

Live streaming of the service is available via YouTube and Facebook at 10:00 a.m. EST. Search: The Bethel Church.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service at 10:00 a.m., both at The Bethel Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Interment will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218.

Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073, is serving the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jessica LaShonda Matthews, please visit our floral store.