Mata Lou Cherry

Mata Lou Reed Browning Cherry, our dear mom and Grandma Mat, died at the age of 95 on February 2, 2026, at Sodalis Assisted Living Community in Lake Jackson. Mata Lou was born to Bonnie Belle Jones and PT Reed Sr. on February 23,1930 in Pear Valley, Texas. Her six brothers, PT Jr., Bill, Dwight, Bobby, Joe Dale, and Danny had the responsibility of looking after the prettiest girl in McCollough County. The love of her life, W.E. “Gene” Browning, met with the family approval, and Mata Lou and Gene were married in Brady on March 28, 1948. They met at Lohn High School where Mat participated in volleyball and track and led the school band as a twirler. Gene and Mata Lou were married shortly after Gene returned from service in the Army Air Corps. They began their married life in Brady, Texas and moved to Lake Jackson in 1952 where they raised their three children, Steven, Rhonda, and Greg.

As her children grew older, Mat turned her love of flowers and gardening into a career as a florist. She honed her craft with Geneva Lannen at the Lake Jackson Flower Shop. Eventually Mat branched out on her own opening Designs by Mat in Clute. She was well-known for her floral arrangements, corsages, boutonnieres, and homecoming mums. Mat’s grandchildren have special memories of the corsages, bouquets, and boutonnieres she fashioned with loving hands for any and every event.

Upon retirement, she focused on her love of cooking, and her home became the place to gather for family and friends. She made everyone who crossed the threshold of her home feel like family. Her chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, cornbread, and pound cake are legendary in our family. We entered her home to the aroma of fresh bread or cookies, and we never left with an empty tummy.

Mat was our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, and we love her for more reasons than we can list on this page. We are inspired by her compassion and generosity toward anyone in need. We admire her devotion to her faith, family, and friends. We love her unique laugh and wit that makes us giggle. We feel comfort and love when we think about her home. We miss her, but we cherish the memories of her life well-lived and the privilege of being a part of her life.

Family always came first for Mom/Grandma Mat, and she leaves behind a proud legacy to continue her love of family. She is survived by her children, Steve Browning and wife Deborah Rhonda Sperry and husband Kim, and Greg Browning; her grandchildren, Clint Browning (Beth), Clay Browning (Christina), Abby Barnes (John), Ryan Sperry (Jaimee), Stephanie Smith (Kyle), Tiffanie Hightower (Matt), Kelly Lane (George), Kristy Higginbotham (Scott), and Reed Browning; great grandchildren, Chloe Dutton (Jaden), Cate Browning, Taylor Saffle (Zach), Halle Browning, two Barnes girls on their way, Charlotte Smith, Leighton Smith, Aubrey Hightower, Axel Hightower, Emma Lane, Hudson Lane, Jack Higginbotham, and Kate Higginbotham; great-great grandchild, Joseph Bennett Dutton; one brother, Danny Reed (Virginia); and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mata Lou was predeceased by her parents, Bonnie and PT Reed, Sr., her first husband, Wilburn Eugene (Gene) Browning, second husband, John Woodrow (Woody) Cherry, and brothers PT Reed Jr., Bill Reed, Dwight Reed, Bobby Reed, Joe Dale Reed.

A visitation will be held on February 6, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Restwood Funeral Home, located at 1038 West Plantation Dr., Clute, TX 77531. A memory sharing service will follow from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. A committal service will then take place at Restwood Memorial Park, 1038 W Plantation Dr, Clute, TX 77531, at 3:00 pm with Reverend Jerry Pennington officiating.

Pallbearers will be Clint Browning, Clay Browning, Ryan Sperry, Reed Browning, Chase Sperry, and Brock Sperry. Honorary pallbearers will be John Barnes, George Lane, Scott Higginbotham, Kyle Smith, Matt Hightower.