Ann Stephens Matthews, 84, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 25, 2021. A celebration of life will be held November 2 at 1:00 PM at Salem Chapel Christian Church in Walnut Cove, NC. Inurnment will follow at the family cemetery, also in Walnut Cove, NC.
Ann was born January 27, 1937 to Floyd and Leta Brown Stephens in Roscoe, TX. Ann graduated from Wink High School in Wink, TX in 1955, and attended Odessa College and the University of North TX.

Ann was employed with Texaco’s West TX Division Land Department in 1959 where she met the love of her life, Marshall Lawrence Matthews, Jr. Ann and Lawrence were married on December 18, 1960 in Odessa, TX. The couple moved to Snyder, TX where both of their children were born: Marshall Lawrence, III, and Mary Rebecca. The family moved from Snyder to Midland, where they lived in close proximity to Ann’s family, enjoying many shared holidays and get-togethers over the years.

In 1977 the family moved to Dallas, TX, where, with the children in high school, Ann returned to college and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating Cum Laude in 1982. She received her Texas State Teaching Certificate in English and History in 1983. Ann continued to pursue her academic studies and earned a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Texas at Dallas in 1988. She worked for the Fairhill School in Dallas, TX where she taught English and Texas History. Ann was most loved and remembered by her students for her annual Texas History trips to San Antonio where she took students to historic places, like the Alamo, bringing history to life before the children’s eyes.

Ann had an intense love for animals and adored her many pets including cats, dogs, rabbits, box turtles, as well as nursing the occasional stray or baby wild animal to health to release back into nature.

Just before, and after, retirement Ann and Lawrence were blessed to travel to multiple places around the world together via planes and cruise ships. Some of their most memorable adventures were cruising the Nile River in Egypt, exploring the Great Pyramids, visiting Russia, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand and several trips to Ireland, England, and Scotland.

Ann and Lawrence built a home in NC where Lawrence grew up. They enjoyed spending springs and summers there for several years before eventually moving there full time after Ann retired from teaching. Many treasured memories were formed there, where Ann and Lawrence enjoyed long summer visits from the grandchildren, gardening in the rich soil, and reconnecting with family and friends.

Ann especially enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She created beautiful afghans and baby blankets for each child, grandchild, and great grandchild. Perhaps her most famous and treasured creations were the “off to college” afghans that she crocheted, in the school colors of each college the children and grandchildren attended. Ann was also part of a charitous knitting group with other women at her church, Centenary Methodist Church, where the ladies created prayer shawls, baby hats and booties, and helmet liners for deployed soldiers. Ann also enjoyed volunteering in the Centenary gift shop and meeting with her prayer and Bible study groups.

Ann is preceded in death by her mother and father, Leta and Floyd Stephens; her sisters, Glenda Hudson and Joyce Wiersma; and her son, Marshall L. Matthews, III.

Ann is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, M. Lawrence Matthews, Jr. of Walnut Cove, NC; brother, Ronald Stephens and wife, Marjorie, of McAllen, TX; daughter Mary Matthews Prouse and husband, Donald, of Decatur, TX; grandchildren Preston Matthews and wife, Nicole, of Fort Worth, TX; Garrett Matthews and wife, Hannah, of Greensboro, NC; William Matthews, and wife, Shelby, of Stillwater, OK; great grandchildren Gwynn, Saunders, and Judah; and many loving friends and relatives.

Memorial donations for Ann Matthews may be sent to the Salvation Army, your local animal rescue/shelter, or another charity of your choice.

Flowers and condolences may be sent to the family residence at 1381 Easley Road, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 or via arranged time to Salem Chapel Christian Church, 7745 Salem Chapel Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 Ph. 336-408-0876. 

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