Cora Matthews: Aug. 17, 1955-Aug. 21, 2026

Mrs. Cora Elizabeth Matthews, 71, passed away on August 21, 2026 in Kerrville, TX surrounded by many of her loved ones. Cora Elizabeth Patton was born in Rolla, Missouri on August 17, 1955. She grew up in Rising Sun, Indiana after her family moved there when she was 3 years old.

She married her lifelong loving husband, Jennings “Jen” Hugh Matthews on June 17, 1972. They moved to Killeen, TX where they raised 6 children together. She was a stay-at-home mom until the children were older and worked as a beloved cashier at a local restaurant for many years until she and her husband retired and moved to Kerrville, TX in 2009. 

In 1974, she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and enjoyed sharing her Bible based belief of a promised better life to come to anyone she could. She enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, sewing quilts, jewelry beading, puzzles, and card games. She loved a good laugh with family and friends whenever possible. 

Her husband and 6 children remember her as a faithful, unconditionally loving, devoted, mirthful, dedicated, and loyally patient mother.   

She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years Jennings “Jen” Hugh Matthews; her loving daughters, Cora Crippens and her husband Cedric of TX and Eleanor Waugh of TX; her loving sons, William Matthews of OH, and Nathaniel Matthews and his wife Jessica of TX, Jason Matthews and his wife Heather of TX, and James Matthews of TX; her sister JoAnn Kelly of GA; her brothers, Guy Patton and his wife, Angel of OH, and Billy Smith of IN; her 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Franklin Patton, her mother, Maude Ruth Smith, her stepfather, Claude Smith, her sisters, Wanda Monahan, Bonnie McCallister, Sharon Davis, her brothers, Randy Patton, Alvin Patton, and Bobby Patton, and her great grandson Leo Sebastian Matthews.

The family will not be holding a public memorial service at this time. A private family service may be held at a future date.