Betty Louise Morrow Mathews

"Betty Lou"

Betty Mathews, 98, of Wilmington, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died peacefully on May 29, 2026, at The Davis Community.

She is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth (“Beth”) DurJava of Leland and Barbara McClelland of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Rachel McClelland Henry, Sarah McClelland Siebenaler, Michelle Elizabeth Sinsky, and Michael Aaron Sinsky; four great-grandchildren; six nieces; and two nephews.

Betty was born on November 10, 1927, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late James Jennings Morrow and Elizabeth Williams. She was raised in Wilmington from infancy and graduated from New Hanover High School in 1946.

She met her husband, E. L. “Matt” Mathews, in Wilmington after his service in Europe during World War II. Betty once rode on a float in the Azalea Festival Parade, where Matt famously remarked that she was the prettiest one on the float. Betty would often say they truly met while on a date with other friends. They were married on November 20, 1948 and were married for 71 years.

Betty devoted her life to her family as a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church and an active participant in United Methodist Women. She had a deep interest in genealogy and was a proud member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for 40 years, most of that time with the Stamp Defiance Chapter in Wilmington. She also belonged to the Daughters of the American Colonists, the Cape Fear Garden Club, St. John’s Museum Guild, and the Lower Cape Fear Republican Women’s Club.

Betty served as a Girl Scout leader and church school superintendent. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, as well as reading, art, painting, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Trinity United Methodist Church for their prayers, her Davis Community Caregivers and, Lower Cape Fear Life Care for their compassionate care.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Andrews Market Street Chapel.

Prior to the service on Thursday, the family will receive friends from 10:00am until the service hour.

Interment will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1401 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.