Myra Katherine Mathews

She was born September 19, 1930, in Lincolnton, Georgia, but was raised on a small farm in Bowman, Georgia. Myra was the second of five siblings (four sisters and a brother). She enjoyed playing with her sisters and especially loved playing with dolls. Happily, Santa would generally bring her a new one at Christmas every year. She was a good student and never missed a single day of school. At home, Myra helped with chores such as milking the cows, churning butter, washing dishes and picking cotton.

Myra attended Bowman High School. Following her graduation, Myra attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC – a junior college) and ultimately graduated from the University of Georgia (UGA) earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. While in college, Myra sang with the Glee Club. She was also a member of the Dramatics Club and was cast in some plays during that time.

While at ABAC, Myra met Marion Earl Mathews (who also went on to UGA) and they married upon graduation in 1950. The young couple found employment in the Atlanta area and Myra taught fourth grade for the following five years before retiring to start a family. This new family included a son and a daughter, making Myra a happy housewife and mother for the next twenty-plus years.

Myra and Earl enjoyed traveling. The family took a trip to a new destination every year. Some of these destinations included Miami, San Francisco, Boston, Niagara Falls and Williamsburg among others.

Once their youngest went off to college, Myra returned to school and completed courses in business. This led to her employment at their church, East Point First United Methodist Church, as Financial Secretary for ten years (1981-1991). Additionally, Myra and Earl were longtime members of the church and Myra taught Fourth Grade Sunday School for over thirty years. She loved to be with the children.

After Earl retired from Delta Airlines, they moved to Madison, Alabama, to be near their grandchildren. While living in Madison, Myra and Earl volunteered many hours in their community. Because they both loved to read books, The Friends of the Library bookstore was one beneficiary of their time for many years.

In order to be near their daughter and enjoy the comfort of a senior retirement community, Myra and Earl moved to Texas in 2014.

Myra was a sweet, cheerful person and such fun to be around. She was much loved and cherished and will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.

Myra is survived by: her husband, Marion Earl Mathews; her son and daughter-in-law, Steven Earl and Lucinda (Knowles) Mathews; her daughter and son-in-law, Karen (Mathews) and Alan Murray; and her grandchildren Josh Mathews, Dora Alison, Caleb Mathews, Jennifer Murray McCoy and Katherine Murray.

A memorial service will commence at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Foust & Son Funeral Home in Grapevine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) at www.umcor.org.