Lottie Mathews

(From Knell Mortuary)

Lottie E. (Brown Westfall) Mathews left this world peacefully on Feb. 21, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Born on Aug. 27, 1931, to Adelbert “Delbert” and Veda (Sweaney) Brown in Pharr, Texas, Lottie was the youngest of five daughters. Not long after the passing of her father in 1932, Lottie and her family returned to Carthage. Her mother remarried Leonard Westfall, who was a loving father to Lottie and her sisters.

Lottie graduated from Carthage Senior High School in 1949. She was honored to model for Green’s Department Store and to be chosen as the 1950 Carthage Baseball Queen. Even from a young age, Lottie was a hard worker, working at Elliot's Ice Cream Parlor, Grey Krummel, Central National Bank, and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.

On Oct. 17, 1954, Lottie was joined in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Colonel Valgene Milton Mathews. To this union two children were born, Vali Sue and Matt Leigh. Together, Valgene and Lottie owned and operated a cattle ranch east of Carthage, where Lottie was Valgene’s top hand. She loved being outside, helping him take care of cattle and maintain the land.

Lottie was a faithful servant to her Lord and Savior. She devoted 68 years to the Avilla Baptist Church, serving in many capacities including – and not limited to – Sunday School teaching, VBS leading and many other kinds of projects. Never without her King James Bible, Lottie remained an avid student of His Word.

Lottie always worked hard on the farm but she also loved having fun. She was a self-taught golfer, bowler, tennis player and world traveler. Valgene and Lottie seldom missed a Carthage or Mizzou football game. 

She thoroughly enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sporting events and any other kind of extracurricular activity. Valgene may have shared his love of travel with her, but Lottie was equally passionate. Together they crossed states, countries, and oceans attending Valgene’s B-17 Bomber Squadron reunions, Cattlemen’s Beef Association gatherings, and playing golf.

Preceding her in death were her dearly loved husband, Valgene, on Aug. 17, 2008; parents: Delbert Brown, Leonard and Veda Westfall; sisters, Nellie Griffin, Rebecca Steele, and Georgie Carter.

Survivors include her sister: Frankie McFadden of Texas; children: Vali (Steve) Watts of Carthage, Mo., and Matt (Denice) Mathews, of Sarcoxie, Mo; grandchildren Nikole (Michael) Bradshaw of Texas, Airman Staff Sergeant Andrew Watts of Warrensburg, Mo., Crystal (Jeff) Steen of Arkansas, Victoria Lottie (Scott) Youngblood of Carthage; Rebecca (Chris) Haines of Carthage; Stephanie (Chance) Lee of Reeds; Chad (Katelynn) Mathews of Carthage.

Lottie treasured and proudly doted on her 16 great-grandchildren. Equally important were Matt’s blue heelers, Rooster and Big Jake. In her final months, Big Jake was an honorary grandchild, who held a special place in her heart. Their daily chats and puppy training brought her tremendous joy.

In June of 2020, Lottie was honored and extremely humbled, when her family established Lottie’s Soda Shoppe in Avilla, Mo. As a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she read our stories, supported our aspirations and never failed to encourage us with her warm smile and kind, yet honest, words. She was an outspoken, spiritual woman, who made sure all around her knew the importance of a relationship with the Lord. 

She will be remembered for telling her children and grandchildren, “At the end of your life, only three things matter: who you loved, who loved you, and how you served Jesus Christ.” Lottie did remarkably well at all three. She raised two children to love the Lord, who then raised their children to do the same. A legacy that will carry on, echoing Lottie’s love and wisdom, for generations to come.

The family would like to extend a gracious thank you to the staff at Oak Pointe of Carthage, for their care and love shown to Lottie this past year.

Lottie will lie in state 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 at Knell Mortuary for those who wish to pay their respects and sign the book. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at Beck Cemetery, near Stotts City, Mo. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to Beck Cemetery in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed at www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.