 MATTHEWS, PHYLLIS TERRY With sorrow at our loss but with joy at the gain that her faith assured her, the family of Phyllis Terry Matthews wishes to inform you that, on January 17, 2013, Phyllis left this earthly realm. Phyllis was born in Julesburg, Co., to Thomas C. and Esther Frederick Terry. She grew up near Alliance, NE, then lived in Julesburg, CO and Huntley, WY, where she attended high school. Living through the roaring 20's and drought and depression 30's did not prevent Phyllis from becoming a precocious, intelligent, vivacious and beautiful teenager; an outstanding basketball player and accomplished musician and a scholar. She received a scholarship to UW in Laramie, and studied literature and psychology. Illness interrupted her education, in her fourth year. Returning to Huntley, she met and married a fresh-faced, charming, farm boy-from-Maxwell/CSU Graduate and now teacher/coach at Huntley High School, Glenn Matthews. Glenn taught and coached and they welcomed their first child, Terry in 1942. They then moved to Glenn's hometown of Maxwell, NM, where he taught and coached. Their second son, Gary, was born in 1943. In 1944, Glenn entered the Navy and served 2 1/2 years during WW II. Returning to Maxwell, He left education to become a farmer and rancher with his father. Their third child, Mary Lynn, was born in 1948 and Janette, was born in 1952. They then moved into the house on Tinaja Avenue, which they shared for the next 44 years, and where Phyllis lived for the majority of her remaining 72 years. Phyllis was the quintessential stay-at-home homemaker. The challenges of a small, rural town, she met with patience, grace and determination. She was a fantastic cook and an accomplished seamstress, creating most of her young children's clothes. She nurtured a love of learning in her children, and encouraged participation in Cub Scouts, 4-H, music lessons and sports. She was a member of the Maxwell Methodist Church, and taught Sunday School. She was on the Maxwell School Board, in the Home Demonstration Club and member of the weekly Bridge Club. In the Order of the Eastern Star, she became Worthy Matron. With the children gone, and at the age of 60, she became a farmhand with Glenn, operating equipment and "bunking out" at the farm during irrigation and haying. She relished the role of grandmother beyond any other, and welcomed 13 grandchildren to their lives. During these years, Phyllis began her "seeking years", exploring her faith in greater depth. In 1993 she fulfilled a lifelong dream of being a writer, and prepared a column, "Soul Thoughts", for the Springer Tribune, in which she shared her thoughts on life, family and her faith. Glenn succumbed to cancer in 1994, and though it created a void in her life, even at 74, she began to explore new opportunities. She traveled to Great Britain and took a cruise up the NE U.S. coastline. She immersed herself in the study of the Bible and in her service to the (now) United Methodist Church, expanding her involvement in the U M W and the N M Annual Conference, and sharing her faith and wisdom with a whole new generation of her faith family. In 2006, Phyllis was selected to receive the Living Archives Award from the New Mexico Conference of the United Methodist Church. While contemplating the nature of support systems during Glenn's illness, Phyllis wrote in one "Soul Thoughts" entry: "All these things have made me think that God has a way of supplying people with the spirit that He divided among the elders so that we have a circle of support surrounding us and can experience a divided burden, much lighter for being shared by so many." How true and prophetic this was for her; as her own family and many in her church family were there for her as she slowed down and lost some of the independence she had treasured for so many years. Phyllis was also preceded in death by her parents; and by all of her siblings, save Adda, who resides in San Rafael, CA; and by: sisters-in-law--Ruth Jones, Opal Schneider and Marjorie Copeland. She is survived by her children--Terry (Susan) of Fort Collins, Colorado; Gary of Maxwell and Plano, Texas; Mary Lynn Matthews Smith of Maxwell, and Jan Donop (Larry) of Brady, Texas; and by 13 grandchildren; and 22 1/2 great-grandchildren; and by her sisters-in-law--Kathy Yaksich of Maxwell, Laura Pompeo (Tom) of Albuquerque, and Donna Terry of Reno, Nevada; as well as by really numerous nieces and nephews. Phyllis requested memorials be sent to the Maxwell United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held on March 16, 2013 at the Maxwell United Methodist Church. (Time: TBD).
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