Loretta Alta (McDonald) Matthews

Loretta was born on January 29, 1939, in Beaumont, Texas, to the parents, Laura Craig McDonald and Henry Charles McDonald.

Loretta is a 1957 graduate of Beaumont High School. She was a Royal Purple Queen drill team captain while attending Beaumont High. Loretta started her love for dance at the age of 2 ½. Her grace and love of dance continued throughout life; especially, with her late husband, Louis Sr. When the two danced, her rhythm, grace and love made the pair seamlessly one!

Loretta was a 1959 graduate of Lamar State College of Technology with a Secretarial Science Certificate of Completion. She is a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. Her support for Lamar continued by attending and cheering on the Cardinal Football and Basketball teams. She absolutely loved the Lamar Cardinals.

Loretta’s career started in Beaumont as a secretary for Williamson Insurance and Sun Oil Company. After having children, she became a manager for Tupperware and Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc. She loved working and meeting new people. Every coworker, customer and hostess became one of her family members.

Loretta loved all of her children and was involved in numerous groups with each of them. She was a member of the Beaumont Mothers of Twins Club and was the first President of the Mid-County Mothers of Twins Club after her twin boys were born. She was a Den Master for her boys while they were in Cub Scouts. Also, she was a leader for her daughter’s Bluebird and Brownie groups. Her proudest family moments were attending weddings of her three sons. Camping, fishing and traveling to numerous states every summer with all four of her children and husband were very special to Loretta. These trips were so special, her last moments here on earth were spent listening to her eldest son reminisce about the family camping adventures. She always made new friends on each trip who then became lifelong friends. Loretta loved her time with her family; particularly, birthdays and holidays since she was able to spend time with those she dearly loved including her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Loretta is preceded in death by her husband, Louis Martin Matthews, Sr. Her parents, Laura Craig McDonald and Henry Charles McDonald. Her two brothers, George Bliss and Robert McDonald.

Loretta is survived by her four children, sons, Louis Matthews, Jr. and wife, Sharon, Leonard Matthews and wife, Danette, Larry Matthews and wife, Susan, and daughter, Laurie Matthews. Her grandchildren, AJ Matthews and wife, Casey, Joshua Matthews and wife, Kira, Sarah Yeldell and husband, Clay, Meagan Mitchell and husband, Derrick, McKenzie Tokheim and husband, Nathan, and Collin Matthews. Her great grandchildren, Maddison, Claire, Ryan, Luke and Jack Matthews, Carter Mitchell, Troy and Sloan Yeldell.

Services will be held in Loretta’s childhood hometown of Beaumont, Texas.

Visitation from 5-7pm and Vigil starting at 6pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 4955 Pine Street.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, will be held at St. Anthony’s Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street.

Burial to follow Mass located at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnmpfh.com for the Matthews family.