Jerel Oneal Matthews, Jr., son of the Reverend Jerel O. Matthews, Sr. and Robin Aiken Brown, was born on June 14, 1987 in Charleston, SC. He made his transition from this life to his heavenly home on July 24, 2016 at Trident Medical Center, Charleston, SC.

Jerel, known to family and friends as "JR", attended the public schools of Berkeley County. His hobbies included shooting pool, playing basketball and bowling.  He was also a "Master Chef" when it came to cooking on the grill.

Jerel was united in marriage to Karolyne Stafford on January 17, 2008. This union was blessed with two children.

Jerel accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He was a member of Moncks Corner A.M.E. Church.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Karolyne Matthews; his children, Kerhyl and Jeremiah Matthews; his mother, Robin A. Brown (Jerome); his father, Rev. Jerel O. Matthews, Sr.; his twin brother, Derel Matthews (Natalie); grandparents, Isaac and Vivian Aiken and Norveree Vice; stepsisters, DeMaria Myers, Marthia Smalls (Derran); stepbrothers, Jerome Brown, Jr., Shaquille Brown, and Mijel Brown (Amanda); father and mother-in-law, Richard and Josephine Stafford; special brother-in-law, Andrew Stafford; grandmother-in-law, Eliza Stafford; special cousins, Jermaine Wright and Gary Moultrie; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.