Mother Mattie Louise Newsome Hurd

Mother Mattie Louise Newsome Hurd was born on April 15, 1933 in Gilmer, Texas to Ruzell Ray and Pearlie Leona Newsome. Mattie was raised to value education, faith and family. She cherished her upbringing filled with the love of her parents, her Step-Father Chester Newsome and her siblings. Mom remembers her early Church attendance at Gilgal Missionary Baptist Church in Gilmer, Texas.

Mattie fell in love early with her Pen Pal. On September 4, 1952, Mattie married the love of her life - The Late Great Rev. Dr. Basil BKO Breven Hurd, Sr. From this union, came 9 amazing children that Mattie adored, guided, cherished and poured her heart, body, soul and mind into their proper care. Mattie taught her children and grandchildren everything she could, including “money doesn’t grow on trees” (we must value all God gives us and use it wisely), “push yourself” (when you are tired, God will give you strength to accomplish anything in life), “hug your brother/sister” (never take family for granted), “put God first” (this world is not our eternal home), “you’ve got to want it” (surrender and accept God’s will for your life), and so many other life lessons.

Mattie enjoyed gardening and attending Church with her young family in Texarkana, Texas at Mt. Orange Baptist Church under the Pastorate of the Late Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Stuckey III. She won awards early for her role as Mama with her Family. She continued the outward expression of her faith as a member of Full Gospel Holy Temple Church under the Pastorate of the Late Bishop Paul Cannon, Jr. and First Lady Jacqueline Cannon in Texarkana, Texas.

In 2004, Mattie moved to Houston, Texas with her daughter Pearlouisa to do the primary tasks of a servant learned from her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - serve and love. From 2004 - 2008, Mattie poured everything into caring for her son the Late Marvin Robert Hurd, Sr. who was suffering from Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and Devic’s Disease. God ushered Marvin into Heaven in 2008. From 2008 - 2011, Mattie continued her Caregiver calling by providing end of life care to her late husband Basil until God ushered him into Heaven in 2011.

2011 was “the best of times … the worst of times” (as Charles’s Dickens noted in the opening lines of his novel - A Tale of Two Cities). Mattie used her signature calling as a Prayer Warrior to push herself through a season of grief. Mom traveled to Phoenix, Arizona several times to spend time with her Baby Boy Brevenando and his family. Her adventures continued to her favorite hotel in Orlando, Florida to visit TBN’s Holy Land Experience and Disney World 3 Times; Destin, Florida to play on the white sand beaches 3 Times; Portland, Oregon where she visited rose gardens; Galveston Beach Several Times; Texarkana, Texas Several Times; etc.

Mattie did as she learned from her Late Beloved Mother Pearlie “Love life,” & exemplified the strength of her Grandmother Elizabeth Ford. In her latter years, she became a member of Living Hope Houston - Gulf Meadows Church under the Pastorate of Pastor Roy Love and Later, Pastors Joe and Becky Keenan. In 2023, she joined Greater Vision Church under the Pastorate of Bishop L. D. Lee, Sr. and First Lady Alfredia Lee. Mattie loved her early adventures in Houston with her Baby Girl Dorisina Hattietta Hurd-Jacob’s. Near the end, she enjoyed exploring new Houston sites with her Daughters Pearlouisa and Basina and her Son-in-Law Charles.

Mother Mattie Louise Newsome Hurd gave to support Greater Vision Church, Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Living Hope Houston - Gulf Meadows Church, Inspire Women, Baptist Sisterhood of Houston, World Outreach Deliverance Center, Yowkebed Global Prayerline Ministries, Kingdom Family Prayerline Ministries, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grace School of Theology, Christian Broadcasting Network - 700 Club (Lifelong Ministry Partner), Paralyzed Veterans and so many others.

Mother Mattie Prayed to God for her vision to return to its earlier state for one reason - to read her Bibles again. She was guided, encouraged and strengthened by her favorite Bible Passage - Psalm 91.

Mother Mattie was strong and fought as the good soldier she was always giving all glory, honor and praise to God our Maker, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the Holy Ghost our Comforter and Guide. At 11:49 am on Sunday, September 28, 2025 God ushered her into Heaven.

“Well Done” Mother Mattie Louise Newsome Hurd

A celebration of life service for Mattie will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, 903 Summerhill Rd, Texarkana, Texas. A visitation will occur Friday, October 10, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at East Funeral Home, 2807 Moores Lane, Texarkana, Texas. A burial will occur Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Nash Cemetery, Nash, Texas.

Online tributes may be posted at eastfuneralhome.com.