Ruth Erwin Matchett

Ruth Erwin Matchett, age 96, of Crockett passed away Friday, December 30, 2016 in Houston. She was born April 3, 1920 in the Ash community near Austonio, to parents, Henry Lee Erwin and Minnie Keels Erwin. Ruth spent her childhood in the Ash community and accepted Christ at the age of 11 in a little country church which still stands today. She graduated from Austonio High School as Salutatorian of her class. During WWII Ruth worked at the Blue Bonnet Ordinance plant near Gainsville. After the war, she returned to Crockett and went to work for Perry Brothers, where she met the love of her life, Olen Matchett. Olen and Ruth married on April 20, 1946 in Groveton and were married until his passing in 2007. Ruth worked for Weiner’s Department store for 32 years in Houston and Crockett, where they retired. Ruth didn’t remain idle though, she loved to work her garden, piece quilts, cook, and complete word puzzles. She would sit down, but only if it was to watch her beloved Astros. Ruth was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church and loved her church family very much.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Rawlins of Houston; brother, Jim Erwin and wife, Margie of Aransas Pass; nieces, Ann Richards Pincus, Sherri Erwin, Sandra Drews, Suzann Erwin, Angela Graves; nephew, James Erwin; special friends, Judi Fowlkes, Polly Beard, Kathy Bueller, Hope Manninger, and Margaret House, who were always an inspiration to her; her very special caregiver, Daisy; numerous other loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Olen Matchett in 2007; son, Robert Matchett in 2011; and parents, Henry and Minnie Erwin; sisters, Minnie Erwin, Angeline Dillon, Dorothy Murray; and her beloved friend, Lois Shanks.

Funeral services for Ruth Erwin Matchett were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in the Callaway-Allee Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Terry Gibson, officiating. Interment followed in the Pennington Cemetery. The family received friends for visitation Monday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Callaway-Allee Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church, 265 C. R. 4575. Kennard, TX 75847 or Pennington Cemetery, P. O. Box 216, Pennington, TX 75856.