THOMASVILLE — A Thomasville man described as a great educator and an outstanding individual of character died Thursday.

Matthew Conyers Jr., 82, died at his home.

Conyers served on the Thomasville City Board of Education from 2000 to 2016. He did not seek re-election in 2015. Conyers chaired the board from 2008 to 2013 and served as vice chairman in 2014 and 2015.

“(Mr.) Conyers was a great educator,” Ben Hatcher said. 

Conyers, who served as Harper Elementary School principal and assistant principal at Thomasville High School, was concerned about children, teachers and others at schools, he added.

“Mr. Conyers spent his long life working for the benefit of the children in the community, first as a public school teacher and administrator and later as a school board member,” said Rick Ivey, who served on the school board with Conyers. “Our schools are better because of his efforts. It was a privilege to work alongside him and to count him and Mrs. Conyers as longtime family friends.”

Hatcher and Conyers, a Thomasville native, grew up in the same neighborhood.

Conyers was steward board chairman at Clifford Temple CME Church, where he also served as a trustee and Sunday School superintendent. He was dedicated to the church and to the state CME Conference, Hatcher said.

John Everett, a city school board member and former chairman, served on the panel with Conyers for nine years.

“I thought he was an outstanding man, a man of character and commitment. I learned a lot from him,” Everett said. 

Conyers had a passion for the city school system, Everett said.

“He treated everyone he met with respect,” he added.

In December 1968, Conyers, a U.S. Army veteran, married the former Imogene Cook. They are the parents of two sons, Marcus Anthony Conyers and Jeffrey Todd Conyers.

 Conyers and his wife also were longtime volunteers at Archbold Memorial Hospital.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820