Madge Matlock (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Eula Madge Wilcox Matlock was born February 25, 1927 near Mansfield, Missouri to Archie Paul and Clara Beda Wilcox. She departed this life January 22, 2019 in Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri at the age of ninety-one years, ten months and twenty-five days, surrounded by loved ones.
On March 15, 1946 Madge was united in marriage to Loman Matlock and to this union three sons and two daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a baby brother; her husband, Loman; a son, Richard Matlock; grandson, Brandon Miller; great-grandson, Thomas Matlock; and three sisters, Daisy Reukauf, Hazel Clark and Edith (Pete) Kirby.
Madge is survived by two sons, Leland Matlock and his wife Fran, of Winslow, Arkansas, Wendel Matlock and his wife, Susan of Mansfield, Missouri; two daughters, Sondra Gray, and her husband David and Teresa Letsinger and her husband, John, all Mansfield, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Sheila Matlock of Rogersville, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, Bryan Matlock (Angie), Launa Boatman (Eric), Miles Matlock, Dalora Franklin (Nick), Tamara Matlock, Aaron Gray (Tiffany), Carrie Keith (Kendall), Emily Williams (Brian), Wendy Langley (Kevin), Tessa Douglas (Rodney); Zach Miller (Hollie); 24 great-grandchildren, Bryce Matlock, McKenzie Matlock, Isabella Boatman, Lillian Boatman, Kendyl Matlock, Reghan Matlock, Max Franklin, Eli Franklin, Isabelle Parker, Elizabeth Parker, Jacob Gray, Kile Gray, Brock Gray, Madison Keith, Kennedy Keith, Trevor Williams, Elly Williams, Megan Langley, Mikayla Langley, Harrison Miller, Audrey Miller, Hattie Douglas and Boone Douglas; many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of relatives and friends.
Madge was a lifelong resident of Mansfield and a 1944 graduate of Mansfield High School, where she graduated near the top of her class.
In early years she worked at Reed-Harlin as a clerk, a job she always had fond memories of. Later she worked at Olds Brothers, a retail store on the Mansfield square. She would eventually find her niche in life by signing up as an Avon Lady. She never considered it as a job, but something she dearly loved. It not only provided extra income and a way to spend more time with her family, but it gained her the opportunity to make hundreds of lifelong friends. For over fifty years, she spent countless hours of visiting, listening, consoling and helping anyone who needed her.
Madge had made her profession of faith in Christ at an early age and attended the Mansfield United Methodist Church since 1949, becoming a member in 1953. She and Loman were baptized together a mile north of Mansfield in Wolf Creek. She was a dedicated church member and was the youth leader for many years, sang alto in the choir, and was head of the kitchen for as long as her health allowed. When she felt she could no longer do that job, she sat in a chair and watched (bossed).
Madge was a wonderful example of a family oriented person, who often did without in order to make sure her children had what they needed. She spent countless hours of cooking, canning, sewing their clothes, and making sure they had what they needed.
Madge opened her home to anyone who cared to enter. She welcomed everyone and took in those who needed a place to stay, a meal to eat, or just simply a shoulder to lean on or someone to listen. You could find her family gathered every Sunday afternoon of the year for their weekly meal. She looked forward to that and sometimes didn't quite understand why someone couldn't make it. She always told the story of a man who had moved down the road a few years back. He knocked on her door one day and told her he had seen all those cars at her house every Sunday afternoon and wondered if we were having church or Bible Study. She assured him it definitely wasn't that, but he was welcome to drop by anytime.
Her family would like to especially thank Teresa Kennedy and Stephanie Horton, who spent countless hours helping to take care of her and providing companionship.
Madge truly loved her family. She missed her husband, son and grandsons, and adored her parents and sisters and missed them very much. She leaves a legacy of wonderful memories for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was the only surviving aunt on both sides of the family.
Our loss is definitely Heaven's gain.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mansfield United Methodist Church or the donor's choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Madge ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Madge ?
Share a story where Madge 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Madge you’ll never forget.
How did Madge make you smile?
