Velma Matthews, 96 year old former Woodward resident, died Friday, November 22, 2019 in Pampa, Texas. Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at the Elmwood Cemetery with Pastor Eric Cox officiating. Burial will follow with the Billings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Velma Irene (Richardson) Matthews was born September 2, 1923, to Utah Daniel and Lena Mabel (Furgason) Richardson, on the family farm southeast of Buffalo. She was the She was the third child. Velma attended the Buffalo Schools.. On December 8, 1940, Velma and Frank Lee Henderson were united in marriage. To this union two sons were born, Terry Lee and Dean Ray. They lived in California while Frank served in the Navy and Velma worked in a factory. Later they moved to Pampa, Texas where Velma still lived. She was a home maker and managed the Green Stamp Store for several years.
On June 15, 1991 Velma and Ellis Matthews were married in Las Vegas, Nevada. They lived in Woodward until his death in 1997. Later Velma moved back to Pampa, Texas.
Velma was a fun loving, jolly person and enjoyed life and people. She liked to read the Bible and enjoyed her church family. Traveling, camping and dancing were some of her favorite pastimes.
She is survived by three sisters: Thelma Clark of Kansas City, Kansas, Dolores Black of Woodward, Dorothy Cotter of Buffalo; one brother James Richardson and wife Berdena of Pampa, Texas; six grandchildren: 14 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents Utah and Lena Richardson, two sons, Terry and Dean Ray, two sisters Eleanor Dean and Pauline Moore, a brother Reo Dean Richardson, and brothers-in-law, Jack Dean, Vic Durr, Donald Cotter and Chester Jack Black.