Gussie Margaret Matthews

Margaret Matthews, 89, of Vinton, Louisiana, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013, at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Monday, December 23, 2013, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Raymond McHenry of Westgate Baptist Church in Beaumont. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Monday at the funeral home.

Born in Griffithville, Arkansas, on January 15, 1924, Margaret was the daughter of Willie Bratten and Audie Barlow Caldwell. She waitressed in Orange for 35 years and was voted best waitress in Orange. Margaret also was an avid word search player.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Victor Matthews; daughter, Pansy Chadwick; sister, Ester Scritchfield; granddaughter, Rebel Curtis; and great-grandson, Walker Rice.

Margaret is survived by her children, Peggy Brewer and husband, Bobby of Orange, Texas, Patricia Smith and husband, Clay of Dumas, Arkansas, Donnie Bryant and wife, Donna of Orange, Texas, Ronnie Bryant and wife, Jean of Beaumont, Texas, Pauline Guidry of Nederland, Texas, Jackie Matthews of Bridge City, Texas; 16 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Headlee Caldwell of Benton, Arkansas.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Villafano, Alan Bryant, Trevor Surles, Tyler Surles, Mark Brem, and Clay Smith.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Holland Place Assisted Living in Nederland, as well as the medical staff at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas for their love and care shown during this time.