Barbara Barton Matheney

Barbara Barton Matheney Barbara Barton Matheney, age 74, of Austin, Texas died today at her home surrounded by her family. She was born July 6, 1933 in El Dorado, Arkansas to Mary Perkins and Clark Nylic Barton. Barbara grew up in El Dorado and graduated El Dorado High School before going off to school at Lindenwood for one year. She returned to and graduated from the University of Arkansas with honors. While at the University, she was very active in the Chi Omega sorority and remained an active alumnus and loyal Razorback fan throughout her life. After college, she married James Waters Matheney in El Dorado on November 30, 1955 and they had three children, James Waters Matheney, Jr. of El Dorado, Diana Matheney Balch of Caldwell, Texas and Clark Barton Matheney of Austin, Texas. In 1971 her family moved to Houston, Texas where she lived for 11 years until she moved to Austin, Texas - where she lived for the rest of her life. Barbara was very active in many charitable organizations and causes including Houston Candystripers, Houston Zoo, Seton Hospital, St. Michael's School, Austin Symphony League and many others. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Austin. Throughout her life she enjoyed tennis, golf, bridge, her grandkids and her many, many friends in Arkansas, Texas and throughout this world. She touched many people from all walks of life and will long be remembered for her kindness, wit and ability to light up a room. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her beloved husband of fifty-one years, Jim; her children Jimbo and wife Sandy Proctor Matheney, Diana, Bart and wife Hollis Blagg Matheney; her grandchildren, Dustin John Baron and wife Angela and Sarah Baron of College Station, Texas; Thomas Barton Matheney, James Waters Matheney, III and MaryHollis Matheney of Austin, Texas; Monte Griffin and wife Susan from Hot Springs, Arkansas, Richard Griffin and wife Karen of El Dorado, Arkansas, Leslie Griffin Pearson and husband Roy of Rogers, Arkansas and Amanda Griffin of Springdale, Arkansas; five great grandchildren; and her brother Thomas Perkins Barton and wife Anne of Dallas, Texas. A family visitation will be held at Austin Country Club on Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 5 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado, Arkansas on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 4 p.m. A family visitation will be held after the service at the El Dorado Golf and Country Club beginning at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Hospice of Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759 or Hope Landing, P.O. Box 10215, El Dorado, Arkansas 71731-0215. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com