Athens - Gloria Kathryn (Jenkins) Matthews passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025, at Cooper Methodist Church. Pastor Brenda Williams will officiate. Visitation is scheduled for 1-2 p.m. also at Cooper Methodist Church.

Gloria was born in Cooper, TX on February 19, 1936, to Owen Yowell "Buddy" and Evelyn Allene (Allsip) Jenkins. They preceded her in death as well as her husband Jerry Matthews, and daughter Melinda Coffman.

Gloria graduated from East Texas State Teachers College in May 1957. She won numerous awards in college such as Most Popular Coed, Locust Beauty, and Homecoming Duchess in 1956. She married Jerry Holmes Matthews in Cooper, TX on January 22, 1957, and had three children: Michael, Melinda and Mitzi. She taught school for over 30 years and was a tireless proponent for her students. She also obtained her real estate license and was a successful real estate agent in San Antonio, TX, during her teaching tenure. After she retired from teaching, she became the owner and operator of Cooper Marble and Granite in Cooper, TX, also known as Pioneer Memorials in Sulphur Springs, TX. She was president of the Monument Builders of the Southwest from 2002-2003, and she donated the cornerstones for the Sulphur Springs Middle School in addition to making donations to the Northeast Texas Children's Museum in Commerce, TX. She was an avid bridge player and was active in several clubs including Psychology Club.

Gloria was loyal, hardworking, kind, and a pillar of the community. Above all, she adored her husband, Jerry, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For her, her family was her greatest achievement.

Survivors include her son: Michael Matthews, daughter: Mitzi Cramer, ten grandchildren: McLane Matthews, Abby Matthews, Addison Matthews, Mason Coffman, Chaney Coffman, Madeline Coffman, Kennedy Coffman, Quinn Patterson, Connor Patterson, Sydney Patterson. She also had eight great grandchildren: Bradan

Patterson, Maddox Patterson, Annabel Patterson, Eleanor Patterson, Claire Matthews, James Coffman, Alice Coffman and JB Coffman.

Online condolences may be made at www.deltafuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Delta Funeral Home