Nell Marie (Drury) Matthews

Nell Marie (Drury) Matthews was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico on July 8, 1931 to Doc and Isabelle Drury. Nell grew up in Carlsbad. She played the clarinet, both in school and in the Carlsbad Civic Orchestra with her Dad (trombone) and brother Dan (trumpet). Nell collected dolls and showed them frequently at collection shows in New Mexico. Nell graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1949. She attended Texas Wesleyan College in Ft. Worth, Texas, and graduated with Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. During her college summers, she worked at Ceta Canyon Methodist Campground on scholarship for TWC. There she met CE Matt Matthews. Nell and Matt married on June 25, 1953 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Matt and Nell were married for almost 63 years. They had three daughters: Sharon, Karon, and Genell.

Nell was a MAH (Mother-At-Home) for many years. She made many of the girls clothes in triplicate. Nell and Matt lived most of their married life in Lubbock with two times of service with Matt as the Youth Director at the United Methodist Church in Hereford, Texas. Nell taught kindergarten at the church in Hereford, Texas during the second time. When the family moved back to Lubbock in 1970, she became a librarian at the Texas Tech Library (2nd floor periodicals). She was offered a position at the Northwest Texas Conference Office as the Conference Resource Librarian. Nell served in that position until retirement. Nell also participated with Matt as a traveling sponsor with the Coronado High School band for over 40 years.

Nell was an excellent seamstress and needleworker. In addition to clothes for the family, Nell made kilts from tartan fabric purchased from Scotland. Matt and Nell were involved for many years in the Scottish Clans Society and they dressed the part! There are Scottish Clans in the ancestry on both sides of the family. Nell was also an avid quilter. She made many beautiful quilts.

Nell was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church. She was active there in Sunday School, UMW, and the quilting group.

Nell is preceded in death by her parents: Dr. Wesley Mathew Drury and Bernice Isabelle Smith Drury; and by her husband: CE Matt Matthews. She is survived by her daughters: Sharon Richards (Ron) of Claremore, OK, Karon Nelson (Rick) of Lubbock, TX, and Genell Knisley (Jim) of Edgeley, ND; 8 grandchildren: Steven Nelson (Yvette) of Lubbock, TX, Elise Hampton (Billy) of Tulsa, OK, Alan Nelson (Tandy) of Brownfield, TX, Michael Knisley (Sonnie) of Rapid City, SD, Daniele Willhite (Wesley) of Glenpool, OK, Stephanie Knisley of Harrah, OK, Angela Haak (Seth) of Great Falls, MT, and Scott Knisley (TylerMarie) of Fargo, ND; 16 great grandchildren: Chloe Nelson, Tucker Nelson, Zoe Nelson, Tristin Wells, Allie Nelson, Victoria Wells, Rachel Hall, Connor Knisley, Savannah Knisley, Remington Haak, Easton Haak, Mallory Knisley, Tripp Nelson, Norah Haak, Grace Haak, and Ashton Knisley; her brother: Dan Drury (Paula); niece: Dana Taylor (Garry), nephew: Paul Drury, cousins, and many friends.

Committal services will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 10:00am at Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock, TX. A celebration of life for Nell will follow at 11:30am at St. John’s United Methodist Church located at 1501 University Avenue, Lubbock, TX with Pastor Josh Stueve officiating.