Helen Cylle McElroy Matthews

From the time of the Civil War, her family lived in Limestone County, TX. Helen was very active in the Baptist Church throughout her lifetime. She was a caring, nurturing teacher at Purple Sage Elementary in Kermit, TX and proud member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. As a young college woman at Baylor University, her love of science and medicine was leading her to become a doctor until she contracted malaria and subsequent hepatitis, which she survived in spite of it being before the age of antibiotics.

During WWII, she served as the executive secretary to the camp commander at the German POW Camp near Mexia, TX. Helen and her husband enjoyed trips to the mountains, especially New Mexico and Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Henry Matthews, Jr.; her parents; 2 sisters, Chrystelle McElroy Adams and Zulette McElroy Fortier; and a son-in-law, Lawrence E. Gresham.

Survivors include 3 children, Barbara Jane Wright and husband Joseph, Cynthia (Cindy) Lou Gresham, and Malcolm James Matthews and wife Peggy; 7 grandchildren: Elisabeth Ann Egbert and husband Duke, James Matthew Wright, John Mark Wright and wife Amanda, James Louis Gresham and wife Kimberlee, Karen Jane Gresham, Ryann Joyce Matthews, and Brady Vincent Matthews; 2 great-grandchildren, Aven Egbert and Perrin Wright; and a brother, Jess Hayter McElroy and wife Francie.

SERVICES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012

1:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH CHAPEL

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012

1:00 P.M.

COOLIDGE CEMETERY

FM 73

COOLIDGE, TEXAS

James Shupp, Senior Pastor, Castle Hills First Baptist Church will officiate.