Betty Mathews

December 7, 2021

Betty L. Mathews of Lenoir, NC was born October 29, 1936 in her grandparent’s home in Grandview, Missouri. After graduating from Grandview High School in 1954, she majored in Physical Education and Social Studies at Central Missouri State College, graduating in 1958. She earned her MS.Ed. in Physical Education in 1963 from Northern Illinois University. Betty’s teaching career included a year at the International Summer School, Oslo, Norway for Gymnastics; teaching Jr. High Physical Education and Science in Waukegan, Ill. and teaching for 25 years at District 214, Arlington Heights, Forest View and Elk Grove High Schools. In retirement, Betty continued to work for 10 years at the Hawaiian State Facility for Hanson’s Disease in Kalaupapa, Molokai, HA. In Lenoir, NC, she worked at the Women’s Shelter and at a local nursing home, finally retiring for the third time in 2003. Predeceased by her immediate family; her parents, Richard Franklin and Pauline Ritchey Mathews; sister, Doris Morrison; brother, Richard Eric Mathews, she was also predeceased by her closest companion, Eligia Eiholzer on May 8, 2019, with whom she resided. She is survived by her neighbor and close friend, Catherine Arney. Private graveside services burial in Mary Vale Cemetery.