Betty Jean Matthes passed away in her home in Bay City, Texas on December 25, 2023. We rejoice as she joins her beloved husband, a host of friends, and loved ones in her new home in heaven. Betty was born on 01/12/1931 to the late William Robert Gordon and Helen Marie Johnson Gordon in Bay City, Texas. She grew up in Bay City and graduated from Bay City High School in 1948.

She married her childhood sweetheart of Bay City, Fred Matthes (affectionately known as Dr. Fred) on June 24, 1950. They moved back to Bay City in 1958 after he attended medical school and continued their lifelong journey together until his death on December 18, 2012. Her kind, gentle spirit and love of family, friends, and this community were her primary priorities. The testimony of a life well-lived is well-known in the community and is a tribute to her success as a woman of a strong Christian faith.

With the love of her life, she raised five children, Patrick Raymond Matthes (Janet), Michael Taylor Matthes (Paula), Margaret Ann Jardee (Gary), Douglas Paul Matthes (Vicki), and Ellen Ruth Dodd (Mark). She was influential in the life of her 15 grandchildren, Katie Matthes, Susan Dawson (Ryan), Lauren Bottani (Bryan), Caroline Matthes (Rose), Julie McDaniel (Steve), Laura Mosley (Kurt), Jenny Pust (Donnie), Amy Erpelding (Tim), Shelly Grimes (Bink), Kristy Salas (Jason), Taylor Matthes (Kim), Matthew Dodd (Shanna), Travis Dodd (Nicole), Garrett Dodd (Merideth), and Haley Schneider (Wes). She has 33 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her siblings: Billie Marie Scheel (Paul), Thomas Raymond Gordon (Delores), and Ann Marie Ryan (Paul); her son, Michael Taylor Matthes and his wife Paula Kalina Matthes; and great granddaughter Ellie Erpelding.

The family will receive visitors at First Baptist Church on Friday December 29, 2023 at noon. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 pm with Dr. Michael Zimmerman officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery just outside of Blessing, Texas. Pall bearers include Ryan Dawson, Matthew Dodd, Travis Dodd, Garrett Dodd, Bink Grimes, Taylor Matthes, Jason Salas, and Wes Schneider. Honorary pall bearers include Bryan Botani, Mark Dodd, Tim Erpelding, Gary Jardee, Steve McDaniel, Kurt Mosley, Donnie Pust.

The family wants to give special thanks to her health caregivers: Patricia Sardinea, Gloria Ochoa, Bertha Fields, Barbara Daniels, and Amber Bluntson. Their kindness and support have been instrumental in the quality of life she has had in the last few years. Deep gratitude goes out to the staff of Houston Hospice - El Campo for the management of her care in the last weeks of her life.

Memorials may be made to Houston Hospice - El Campo, First Baptist Church Benevolence fund, Matagorda Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, or a charity of your choice.