Lou Ellen Matson

Lou Ellen (Reneau) Matson, 94, of Midland, Texas passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Cowden Cottage at Manor Park. Lou was born in Electra, Texas on July 27, 1931, to Cora Ellen and William Elbert Reneau. Her family relocated to Kermit during her early childhood where Lou graduated from Kermit High School in 1948. Lou attended Baylor University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education before returning to Kermit in 1952 to teach. Shortly thereafter, Lou met the love of her life, Don Matson, and the two were married six months later on June 13, 1953.

Lou and Don relocated over 30 times during the early years of their marriage, with his job on a seismic crew. The couple settled down in Midland in 1958 to raise their son Dean, who was born on August 30, 1956, and their daughter Ellen, who was born on June 4, 1965.

Lou continued her teaching career in Midland but eventually became a stay-at-home mom until she found her true calling as a realtor. She spent the majority of her career with Langston/Langston-Monarch before retiring in her mid-80’s from Century 21.

Lou had a reputation for her impeccable memory. She never met a stranger who wasn’t a friend the next time they met. This skill empowered Lou as a realtor; she could walk into one home with a customer and then could almost always pair them with the right home based on the feedback they provided. She took immense pride in providing quality service and care for her clients, evidenced by the many repeat customers she worked with during her career. Even days before her passing she had found the perfect home for one of the nurses at Manor Park. She never stopped wanting to help connect people with the ideal home!

Lou was active in the community serving on the Midland Board of Realtors and Centers for Children and Families. She also belonged to the Contemporary Study Club, the Coterie Club, Geo Wives, and Colonel Theunis Dey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, among other organizations. But most important to Lou and Don was the fellowship they found at First Methodist Church of Midland, where Lou was recently recognized as one of the oldest living members.

Lou and Don loved their Midland friends; many of whom would travel together to Tahiti, the Bahamas, Europe, and across the United States, including Alaska. They enjoyed entertaining and were active participants in the legendary Midland Country Club’s Member/Guest Wildcatter Golf and Chaparral Tennis tournaments.

Lou and Don bought a home on Lake LBJ in 1974 and enjoyed hosting old friends and meeting new ones from the area. The couple spent time playing tennis, golfing, boating, fishing, and relaxing.

But the one activity that Lou and Don loved the most was dancing. Their favorite haunt in Midland was Sid’s Granada Club where they went weekly. When at the lake, they would make the dance hall rounds with friends to the Ramblin Rose in Llano, the Club Pocahontas in Buchanan Dam, Ed’s 218 Club in Johnson City, and Dance Across Texas in Granite Shoals.

Don adored Lou and Lou adored Don. They were such a joy to be around. After Don passed, Lou loved telling stories about Don to anyone who would listen. He was more present in her dreams in the last few months, anxious for her to join him and it is comforting to know that they are together again, boot scootin’ across heaven’s dance floor.

Lou was preceded in death by her husband Don, parents Cora and W. E Reneau, sister Mary Dean Johnson, brother Eugene “Buddy” Reneau, great-nephew Hans Dettmar, and her son Dean Matson.

Lou is survived by her daughter Ellen Matson; niece Elaine Dettmar; nephew Tom E. Johnson (Jeanie); nephew Dean Johnson (Kari); great-niece Hollen Wheeler (Geoff)and their children Reagan and Hutch; great-niece Hilary Barnett and daughter Lily; great-niece Heather Watts (Nick) and their children Susanna and Thomas; great-nephew Tom H. Johnson (Allison) and their children Addie and Ruth; and nephew David Reneau (Donna) and their children Nathan and Jonathan.

Lou lived her last 10 years at Manor Park, taking advantage of the “aging-in-place” community going from a two-bedroom home to assisted living at Helen Greathouse Manor and eventually to nursing care at Cowden Cottage. The family cannot thank the entire staff at Manor Park enough for taking care of Lou during the last years of her life. Lou made a point to know almost all of the employees who she met including those from security, housekeeping, maintenance, administration, CNAs, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, activity directors, chaplains, cooks, and leadership. The family especially wants to recognize the caregivers, administrators, nursing staff, and physical therapy team who provided care to Lou at HGM and Cowden Cottage. These medical professionals provided such great care and Lou loved them all.

In addition, the family would like to thank all of Lou’s doctors, dentists, cardiologists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and dermatologists, who Lou had on speed dial. Only Lou could finagle the personal phone numbers of her doctors! All provided Lou with such great care and attention, and she provided them with lots of laughs when she went in for her appointments.

And lastly, the following people were instrumental in being there for Lou, especially during the last stages of her life: Tom and Jeanie Johnson, Carol and Wendell Creech, Lamar and Roberta Coats, Betsy Casselman Porter, Prudie Casselman, Mendy Meek, Carol Garza, Mary Edith Waddell, Sandy Oldham, Kelly and Kevin Nguyen, and Karren Meek, as well as the staff and ministers at First Methodist Church.

A Celebration of Life Service for Lou will be April 16, 2026 at 11am, in the First Methodist Chapel located at 300 N Main St with Kurt Borden officiating, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Make a Wish Foundation; the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin; Centers for Children and Families or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home of Midland. Family graveside services will be held at a later date.

With Love,

Lou’s Family