Daphne Iris Parsons Mathis

Daphne Iris Parsons Mathis, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on October 30, 2023, in Flower Mound, Texas, at the age of 98 years, 357 days. Daphne was affectionately known as Nan by her family and many friends.

Services will be held at 2pm, Friday November 3, 2023, at Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, with Senior Pastor Reverend Ginger Watson officiating, and with music by friend Bruce McDonald. An interment service at Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery will follow at a later date.

Daphne was born in Bristol, England on November 8, 1924, to Frank and Minnie Rose Parsons. She attended Soundwell Church of England School. At age 18, she was a junior secretary at Carson’s Chocolate in Bristol. During WWII, she worked at the Bristol telephone exchange, where she met her lifelong friend Edie. She also met “Tex”, Army Air Corps Navigator William Francis Mathis (Pop) and her life was forever changed. They were married on March 5, 1945, at The Church of England in Mangotsfield. Following the war and Bill’s return Stateside, Daphne and their infant son Stewart traveled from Southampton to New York on the Henry Stinson where they then boarded a train to Texas. They later had daughter Rosalind, and son Tim. As a mother and homemaker extraordinaire, she raised her family and resided in Fort Worth for most of her life.

The exception to this was long visits back to England, and an 11-year foreign service in Brussels during her husband’s career with General Dynamics. There they became dear friends with a large group of Belgians, with whom they remained in close contact for over 40 years.

Daphne and Bill loved to travel and did so extensively, both domestically and abroad. Nan was an expert packer and car boot picnic maker, to the delight of everyone who visited. Day trips to locales both historical and pastoral were often enjoyed.

In her lifetime, Daphne also loved to cook, bake, entertain, paint, journal, knit, quilt and sew. She continued to meet with her sewing group even as recently as last month. Nan was a fantastic correspondent and spent countless hours at her desk penning letters and cards to loved ones and friends, which she enjoyed receiving in equal measure.

Daphne was an active member of the Fort Worth Chapters of the British Wives Club and the International Wives Club. For over 60 years, she and Bill were members of Handley United Methodist Church.

Daphne is preceded in death by her husband Bill, and her two younger sisters Dorothy Fay and Daisy Hoskins, in England.

She is survived by her son Stewart and wife Jacqulyn; daughter Rosalind Larmer and husband Jay; son Timothy and wife Jan; 7 Granddaughters: Shelley Mertz and husband Gary, Amy Mathis and partner Spike Palmer, Angela DeBruin and husband Scott, Beth Evola and husband Everett, Sarah Wehkamp and husband Chris, April Lauderdale and husband Burke, Emily McEarchern and husband Dustin; and 11 Great-grandchildren: Clayton, Grant, Zoe, Paige, Alyssa, Evan, Colin, Benjamin, Allen, Bram, and Laurel. She is also survived by her 3 nieces Caroline Astington, Helen Baylis and Rachel Phillips, and their families in England.

Gifts in remembrance of Daphne may be sent to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) or any charity of your choosing.