Marie Matlock aka Nanny

Norma Marie Matlock, better known to us as Nanny, was born on May 9, 1930 to Charlie and Beulah Rogers in Bitter Creek, Texas and entered heaven on November 17, 2024 in Littleton, Colorado. Nanny was preceded in death by her brother Beryl, sister Peggy, husband Don, son Robert, daughter Lyn, and grandson Michael. She is survived by her son Tony, Olga, Sierra, Alex, Charlie, Colton, Kimberly, and Emma.

Nanny, the youngest of three children, grew up in Bitter Creek, New Castle and Olney, Texas where she graduated high school. Her mom was a strict lady and Nanny was known as the good, daddies girl. She met Don while he was in the Air Force and stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas. One of the highlights of their marriage was their tour in Japan where she learned to make Japanese floral arrangements that represented Heaven Man and Earth. This enhanced her love for plants, which she shared with her granddaughter Sierra.

During Nanny and Don’s marriage, they moved around as military families do, and eventually settled in Littleton, Colorado. Nanny was a mother of three, Robert, Lyn, and Tony. She loved her children and did her best to protect them from all the ways this world can hurt them. She shared her love of the outdoors, spending time fishing, caring for plants, and cooking for family. Even in the days leading up to her passing she loved to plan meals and time together as a family. Nanny made the best apple pies!

At the age of 11, Tony insisted that they go to church. On a Sunday, Nanny loaded up the car, not knowing where they would end up, and found Littleton Baptist Church. Following the path of her mother, Nanny, at the age of 42, accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She appreciated Pastor Hansen who supported her through life’s journey. When she could not attend church, she enjoyed watching Pastor Charles Stanley on TV.

During her time in Littleton, she helped organize the Crumpets and Tea Club, where women sought her out for fun and for comfort, as she was an amazing listener. Nanny supported women through the hardest circumstances a person should never have to go through. Maybe it was the journey of life that she experienced or the peace of Jesus, either way, those that encountered Nanny felt the warmness of her love and care. Nanny also devoted much of her life to helping raise her grandchildren Kimberly and Michael.

Over the years, Nanny traveled to the Texas coast, meeting up in Rockport, Texas with her brother Beryl and friends. She enjoyed fishing and collecting seashells on the beach. She visited the Redwoods with Beryl, Hawaii with Tony and Olga, and treasured her Green River flyfishing trip. When she visited Yosemite National park she wrote, “the most beautiful place made by God.”

In the 1990’s, Nanny moved into a cabin in Ohio City, Colorado where she embraced her love for the outdoors. She spent time sitting on the porch in her rocking chair, watched the swarms of hummingbirds she fed, watched mountain lions walk by, fished, and enjoyed time with friends. During the summers, Sierra would visit Nanny, went boating on Blue Mesa Reservoir, and grew in their love for one another. She loved to watch the poppies bloom, the aspen trees turn gold, and embraced the deep snow. During those times after Alex was born Nanny made sure and came down to Littleton so she could spend time with Alex as he was growing up. She taught him to never say “shut up”, but rather “shut up honey”.

Her time at the cabin and in Gunnison also provided her the opportunity to care for others. Nanny had an innate way to love people, drawing younger women to her seeking out her friendship. She saw these women much like daughters and cared for them deeply. She managed the VFW, organized the large potluck meals, and also enjoyed visits from her best friend and brother Beryl as well as her aunts and uncles. She lived at the cabin for 20 years independently and with profound strength until the young age of 85.

During 2020, dementia started to present itself and she moved in with Tony and Olga in 2021. The year with Tony and Olga was sweet. Nanny held hands and praying over meals together, planned and prepared meals together, spent time with Charlie and Colton, and shared memories. She never gave up her independence and cabin life as she still lit the newspaper on the stove, shuffled over to the fireplace, and lit the logs. There is no better way than to warm your feet, and her feet were always cold.

In 2022, Nanny fell and broke her hip and she moved into the Life Care Center to receive the care needed. Though many times she wanted to come back home, she found the bright side of things and even joked about teaching Alex to crawl up the stairs and she could do the same. She made the best of her time there and never lost sight of God’s love for her.

What does a legacy of 94 years look like? A love of family and those you are with. Though parts of Nanny’s life were hard, she did not become bitter or resentful but overcame the challenges and lived a life of warmth that drew people to her. She loved to dance, so dance when you have the chance. She loved to cook, so cook with and for those you love. She loved to fish, so take the time to enjoy God’s creation. She loved Christmas, even having a room decorated in Christmas year round, so find the things that bring you joy and embrace them. Love your kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. Nanny loved them deeply, loved talking to them, and protected them with all of her strength. Charlie and Colton loved her too; giving her foot rubs, which she enjoyed greatly. When Charlie learned that Nanny had gone to heaven, said, “She was the Best Nanny, and there will never be another one like her.”

A favorite passage of Scripture of Nanny was Psalm 23 which says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

A note in her Bible said, “This is what it is all about: Salvation, Believing, Trusting, Living.”