Roseboro,

Mrs. Alene Matthews Royal, 97, passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM, Friday, October 17th at Grove Park Baptist Church with Dr. Cameron Dunn officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church.  Interment will follow in Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Alene was born September 18, 1928, in Sampson County.  She was the daughter of the late Mack and Allie Matthews and the widow of John Princeton Royal.  She and John were married for 64 years and lived on Underwood Street, “her favorite place on earth”.  She was a homemaker and loved baking and sharing with others.  She loved her grandchildren and then loved every minute she got to spend with her great-grandchildren.

She joined Grove Park Baptist Church in the 50’s and was an active member until her health declined.  She loved her Sunday School Class Gleaners.  She was able to attend the 11’oclock service on her 97th birthday just last month.

She is survived by her son, Carson Royal and wife Tori of Wilmington, NC; daughter, Cathy Brown and husband Frankie of Roseboro, NC.  four grandchildren; Kate Bullard of Clinton, Kyle Brown (Ashton) of Roseboro, Allie Royal of Raleigh, and Ashley Honeycutt (Grant) of Clinton; four great-grandchildren, John, Rhett, Zoe and Jax; sisters, Hazel McNeill and Jean Cline; brothers, Larry Matthews and Elwood Matthews; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by brothers Carson, Kenly, Leonard, Paul and Wade; sisters, Shirley Williams, Irene Pridgen and Gray Stroud.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Grove Park Baptist Church, 609 Northeast Blvd., Clinton, NC  28328.

Special thank you for the care given by Mary Gran 100 Hall Nurses and Aids and to Liberty Hospice Service.  We will always be grateful.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.crumpler-honeycutt.com.