Carolyn Ann Crowell Matthews, 87, passed away on January 22, 2026 at her home in Greenville, Texas.
She was born January 23, 1938 in Bingen, Arkansas to Elias Hoy and Violet Lee Crowell.

Carolyn grew up in Texarkana, Texas. She was a 1956 graduate of Texas High School and a 1958
graduate of Texarkana Jr. College where she studied music, voice, and piano.

Carolyn and her sisters sang at churches, special events, and often on the radio, with Carolyn singing and
accompanying on piano. It was after one of these performances that she met Floyd Matthews. Following
a short courtship, they married June 21,1958.

For Carolyn and Floyd, life in Texarkana revolved around home, Central Baptist Church, work, and
school. While raising her children, Carolyn taught piano and organ to a number of students in their home.
She later worked at Teachers Federal Credit Union before retiring from the Baptist Publishing House.

Carolyn and Floyd loved their grandchildren, and they in turn adored their "Mama C and Poppa.
" In later years they enjoyed trips with First Baptist Church until Floyd's cancer diagnosis in 2004. Carolyn was a
loving caretaker until his death in 2005.

In 2010, Carolyn moved to Greenville to be closer to her children. Soon after she joined Highland Terrace
Baptist Church.

Carolyn loved beauty, cultivating it through creative endeavors such as music, art and gardening. Carolyn
read the Bible many times over the years. Those around her were witnesses to her love for God and her
neighbors.

For her grandchildren, time spent with Mama C meant love, laughter, and beauty. Days before her
Homegoing, Carolyn showed love to her grandchildren and great grandchildren when they called or
visited.

Carolyn was preceded in death by Floyd, her beloved husband of 47 years, one daughter, Shaun Lee, her
parents Hoy and Violet Crowell; siblings Rex Crowell, Rheta Braswell, Olin Crowell, and Joyce Purtle.

She is survived by her son Truitt Matthews and wife Michelle of Dallas, Texas; daughter Tricia Bruner and
husband Eddie of Greenville, Texas; 6 grandchildren, Meredith Burns and husband Justin, Wil Matthews
and wife Ann, Layne Boles and husband Blake, Mandy McKamie, Ashley Strait and husband Colton,
Jared Bruner and wife Ashley; 9 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Barbara Crowell, and a host of
nieces, nephews, family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Carolyn's name to the music ministries of
Central Baptist, Texarkana, AR, First Baptist Texarkana, TX., or Highland Terrace Baptist, Greenville, TX.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Chapelwood Funeral Home in Nash, Texas with the funeral service following with Reverend Mike Silvey officiating.