Wanda Mathis
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On Friday February 26,2021, Wanda Lee Mathis, loving wife, mother, Nana, and friend went to be with her Lord and Savior at her home with her husband, at the age of 81 yrs, 5 months, and 22 days.
Funeral service for Wanda will be held Tuesday March 2, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Johns United Methodist Church with Pastors Dalton Mathis and John Erwin officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Memorial Cemetery directed by Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home.
Wanda was born September 4, 1939, in Houston, TX, to JC and Wilma Wells. She attended Loraine High School and graduated in 1958. From there she attended Abilene Cosmetology School. She married her high school sweetheart, Gary Wendell Mathis, on July 2, 1960. To this union were three sons Dustin, Casey, and Cody Mathis.
During Wanda's life she worked as a beauty operator, a clerk for an irrigation company in Lubbock, and as a receptionist for a medical doctor at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Her proudest occupation was being able to be a wife, mother, and homemaker the majority of her life.
Mom was always eager to help with school functions, stock shows, and attend sporting events cheering on her kids and grandkids. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and 4-H leader for many years. She worked alongside her husband helping with the Texas Cowboy Reunion for over 35 years. She was honored as the Hostess for the Texas Cowboy Reunion in 1994.
Wanda was very artistic and enjoyed drawing, painting and photography. She and Gary would take trips to the Hill Country where she took pictures of wildflowers, bluebonnets being one her favorites. Wanda loved nature. She looked forward to the arrival of monarch butterflies each year, feeding her birds, especially a red bird she nicknamed, "Pretty Boy." Wanda was one of the greatest cooks to ever put on an apron and loved preparing big meals for everyone to enjoy. She thought it was always a treat to have some ice cream or Hershey bars and we made sure to keep her in stock. Wanda also enjoyed collecting unicorns and expected one every Christmas. Holidays were very important to Wanda, especially Christmas where she would decorate the entire house and never want to take it down. Everything was decorated November 1st. Her tree is still up in the living room where she was able to enjoy looking at even as she took her last breath on Friday.
Wanda was a devoted member of St. John's United Methodist Church for over 40 years and loved going each Sunday up until it was too difficult for her to attend.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, JC and Wilma Wells, son Casey Mathis, and granddaughter Laruen Mathis and a special friend Sandy Mueller. She is survived by her husband of 60 plus years Gary Wendell Mathis, sons Dustin and Cody Mathis, daughters-in-law Chandra and Misty, grandsons Tanner, Dalton and wife Kelsey, Caden, and Tate Mathis. Great grandson Brazos and great granddaughter Swayde, who Nana was able to spend some good quality time with just last week during the winter storm, numerous cousins and a special friend Carol Davis.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St John's United Methodist Church or The Texas Cowboy Reunion c/o The Casey Mathis Memorial Steer Riding.