Marian Morris Matson

Marian Morris Matson was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1923, to Madeleine Colfer and Charles Morris. She died peacefully on July 29, 2018, five days short of her 95th birthday. She filled the dates in between with a mind open to new experiences and a commitment to the core values of family, friendships, and community. Her siblings Charles, Jane Morrison, and Madeleine Rozier shared her adventures growing up in a bustling river city between the great wars. While attending Washington University as a fine arts major, Marian married Russell Hays Matson Jr., a dashing engineering student from Hannibal, Missouri, in 1944. After the separation of wartime, they moved to Little Rock to form Matson Construction Company and built the home Marian lived in for 68 years. While educating their three children in the Little Rock public schools, Marian encouraged the growth of cultural and educational institutions throughout the community, including promoting the Arts Center, learning Braille to volunteer at Lions World Services for the Blind, and studying Spanish to travel to Bolivia with the Alliance for Progress. Throughout her life, Marian valued and nourished the friendships she developed through her sewing, bridge, and birthday groups and the Un-Club (which did whatever they wanted). She enjoyed dancing at Tijuana's and playing golf, but was also perfectly happy painting watercolors on the porch at Lakeside Country Club. Ever curious, Marian delighted in the Elder Hostel trips she shared with her sisters to such diverse spots as Wyoming, Ireland, and Heifer International Ranch. Best of all were her travel adventures with Russ, especially the times spent with friends at a villa overlooking the Amalfi coast. Reveling in her ecumenical family, Marian explored all faiths with the Agape/Credo class and Pastor's Study group at First United Methodist. She completed the in-depth Disciple Bible courses and the rigorous training to become a Stephen Minister. Marian was the last of her generation in her family. She leaves a legacy of "less is more" and intellectual vigor. Honoring her memory through their own commitment to education are her children and their spouses: Russell and Lee Ann Matson, Emily and Richard (recently deceased) Lewis, Charles and Joanne Matson, all of Little Rock; the grandchildren she loved and encouraged, Laura Matson Beal (Matt) of London, U.K., Richard Matson of Los Angeles, Addie Lewis Klein (Craig) of Philadelphia, Jacob Lewis (Darci) of Silver Spring, Mimi Lewis (Daniel Wolf) of Boston, Cameron Matson of Dallas, Jared Matson of Little Rock; and the great-grandchildren, Ian and Leila Beal, Hersh, Alte Luna, and Sender Lewis, Isaac Klein; and many beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating Marian will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home with a reception immediately following. The family thanks the staff of Presbyterian Village, as well as caregivers Irene Johnson and the team of Charlotte Butler, for appreciating the outstanding and astonishing woman Marian was throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, please honor Marian through the cause of your choice. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.