Matt was born to the late Thomas and Ethel Bethel on February 2, 1935 in Orlando, Florida. He was a graduate of Jones High School, Class of 1951. After graduating from high school, he attended Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he met and married the love of his life, Dorothy Maultsby in in 1955; and where he pledged and was initiated into the Delta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Faternity Inc. Upon graduation from Bethune Cookman, Matt enlisted into the United States Air Force, while Dorothy continued her studies at Bethune Cookman.

Following his discharge from the military and reuniting with his wife in Fort Pierce, Florida, he joined the Air Force Reserves and began his teaching and coaching career at Licoln Park Academy. It was there that earned the name “Coach” . He also taught and coached at Dan McCarty Middle School, and later launched and coached the basketball program at Westwood High School. Matthew was an active member of the community. He was a devout Christian and member of Saint Simon The Cyrenian Episcopal Church and a loyal charter member of Eta Kappa Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Having always been an achiever, not only in education but life in general. He was a member of the famed 1952 SIAC Championship Team and inducted into the Bethune Cookman University Hall Of Fame. Matt and his love Dorothy traveled several summers to Indiana University to obtain their Masters of Education Degrees. “Matt Bethel” gave 35+ of his earthly years to teaching and mentoring the children of the future.

In the early morning of January 27, 2022, Matthew Alfonso Bethel entered the heavenly gates.

He leaves to cherish the many fond memories of his legacy, 2 Devoted Daughters, TorryAnn Thomas, Shonda Bethel; One Brother, Oswald Bethel; Two Grandchildren, Tonya Williams and Robert Smith; Three Great-Grandchildren, Yunitu, Yunniah, and Yuccariah; Five God Daughters, Kimberly Haynes, Rondrea Noble, Geseta Smith, Sabrina Hemburg; One God Son, Samuel Leroy Harris; Four Nephews, Albert (Patricia) , Cornell Young, Glenn Borden and William White; Two Nieces, Glenda Garvin and Lavenia Henderson; a Dear Friend, Peggy Harris; and numerous Grandnieces and nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends.

Public visitation for Matthew Bethel will take place on Friday, February 11, 2022 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Stone Brothers Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, FL. Funeral services will convene on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Fort Pierce, FL beginning at 11:00pm. Burial will immediately follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Although many venues have opened and the restrictions of COVID-19 have been relaxed, we at Stone Brothers Funeral Homes are still enforcing the guidelines set forth by the CDC and FDOH to protect our families and our staff. We ask that you respect this, as it could very well save your life. We also ask that you acknowledge and execute the 6 feet social distancing guidelines as well.