Erna Marie Mathias

Erna Mathias, Copperas Cove ’s oldest citizen at age 107, died peacefully and went to join her Savior on Sunday, December 2, 2012. She was born near Copperas Cove to Ernst and Emma Teinert on September 19, 1905, who raised their family of twelve on 360 acres of rough farm land immediately south of “the church with the cross on the mountain”, Immanuel Lutheran.

In 1926, Erna married Gilbert Mathias, whose family farmed in the Antelope community about 5 miles north of Copperas Cove . They had two children, Robert and Angeline, both of whom preceded her in death. Only one of her five brothers and six sisters, Leona Herzog of Lubbock , is still living. The other siblings were: Clara Teinert, Copperas Cove; Martin Teinert, Walburg; Ludwig Teinert, Walburg; Ella Mathias, Copperas Cove; Alfred Teinert, Wilson; Emily Hoffmeyer, Waco/Copperas Cove; Ernest Teinert, New Braunfels; Wanda Taliaferro, Houston; John Teinert, Giddings/Albany; Alma Domaschk, Port Arthur/Copperas Cove.

Erna received all her formal education at Immanuel Lutheran Elementary School . During this time she worked on her parent’s farm “from the time I could help with the chores”. During her teen years and early youth she worked as a housekeeper for the Ed Norman family, owners of a general merchandise store in downtown Copperas Cove . During this period of her life she also enjoyed an active social life as a member of the Walther League, the youth group at her church.

Shortly after their marriage, Erna and Gilbert moved to New Braunfels where they both worked in the Gingham Mills. In a few years they returned to Copperas Cove where they became“cattle farmers”, just as both of their parents were. Their farm was about three miles north of Copperas Cove on the east side of the Gatesville Highway (116). After a few crops, they replaced the old farm house with a new home—of which they were very proud.

The joy of their first new home was not to last long. A letter came informing them that they had 90 days to vacate their home and farm to make way for the coming of “ Camp Hood ”. Finding a new place was not easy with the hundreds of farmers having to leave the Fort Hood area. They found a place at King, near Gatesville with an old, but livable, house on it. It was a sad day when the moving truck pulled away from their new home and their farm—and they had to leave it all.

Husband Gilbert died in 1977 and Erna sold the farm at King and moved to a new home near Trinity Lutheran Church in Copperas Cove to be near her sisters Clara Teinert, Ella Mathias, Alma Domaschk and sister-in-law Edna Teinert. She enjoyed quilting and gardening at her home until moving to the Hill Country Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Copperas Cove in 1998. Here she became very skilled at bead work, completing and inventing intricate designs of Christmas trees, ornaments, crosses, bracelets, necklaces, and chili peppers until age 107.

Erna was an inspiration to all who knew her and leaves a legacy of kindness and generosity of spirit to all. Special friends Raymond & Olivia Upp and Ray & Cyndi Patton were a true example of that kindness and generosity in their love and caring for Erna and her sisters before her.

Erna is survived by her sister Leona Herzog of Lubbock, seven grandchildren, multiple great- and great-great grandchildren and many extended family and friends that loved her very much.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, 12/5, at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Copperas Cove. Internment will be immediately following at Copperas Cove City Cemetery.

A visitation will be held at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, 12/4.

Memorials may be sent in lieu of flowers to the Trinity Lutheran Church Educational Building Fund, 518 E. Hwy 190, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522.