Mrs. Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Matthews, age 87, of Newport, passed away Friday, August 18, 2017 in Alexandria, Louisiana. She was born July 4, 1930 in Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of Calvin F. and Agnes J. McGrew Turner.
Her family located to Newport in December 1939. She met her husband Wayne Matthews in Newport and they were married on June 26, 1950.
Mrs. Matthews initially worked in Newport for Southwestern Bell as a switchboard operator. She later held the position of church secretary at First Baptist Church and finished her career as a staff member of the Jackson County Health Department.
Mrs. Matthews was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school class. She also was involved, among other things, in PTA, the Service League and as a Cub Scouts Den Mother.
Mrs. Matthews was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Matthews, her parents, her brother, Bill Turner, wife Deloris, and nephew, Terry Turner. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Matthews of Little Rock, her son, Bill Matthews and wife, Pat, of Alexandria, Louisiana, her sister Pat Green and husband Albert of Fayetteville, Arkansas, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be a visitation Tuesday August 22, 2017, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. Funeral services are to be held in the Jackson's Funeral Home Chapel, Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com.

Published August 22, 2017