Bessie Crowder Mathews passed into her eternal life on March 5, 2023 in Rockwall, Texas at age 97. She was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on July 16, 1925 to Walter and Clydie Smith Crowder.
She lived in El Dorado until the past few years, raised her family there, and was active in East Main Baptist Church, the DAR, garden club, and children’s ministries. Bess was highly creative and generous throughout her life. She truly lived a life of service to those less fortunate than herself.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Royce Dillard “R.D.” Mathews, sister Almeda Elliott, sister Sue Eileen Crowder, and brother Robert “Bob” Crowder. She is survived by her sister Betty Coleman of Woodland Park, CO, daughters, Kay Mathews of Lexington, SC; Robin Billings (Rodney) of Rockwall, TX; Paula Ellis (John) of Longview, TX; son, Dwayne Mathews of Pencil Bluff, AR.
She was a loving grandmother to her surviving grandchildren Vicki Gilliam (Ken) of Jackson, MS; Vanessa Mayfield of Dallas, TX; Ronnie Hardcastle (Mary) of Wilmington, NC; Rebecca Lewis of Pflugerville, TX; Sarah Froese of Lexington, SC; Amy Billings of Las Colinas, TX; Carson Billings of Garland, TX; Scott Morrison (Heather) of Longview, TX; Katie Wilson (Derrick) of Austin, TX; and Andrew Ellis (Lindsay) of Dallas, TX.
She was blessed with 10 surviving great grandchildren, and 4 great, great grandchildren. She also leaves behind three special sisters-in-law, Sue Mathews of El Dorado, AR; Sonya Mathews of Huttig, AR; and Helen Bomar of El Dorado, AR. She had many beloved nieces and nephews.
Services will be held for family and friends at Young’s Funeral Directors in El Dorado, Arkansas at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 10.
Memorials may be made to East Main Baptist Church, 1903 East Main St, El Dorado, AR 71730
Condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com