Frances Marie Mattes, 90, of Webster, passed away Monday, November 2, 2015. She was born January 17, 1925 to Henry and Lucille Smith in Galveston, Texas. Frances was a resident of Webster for 9 years but previously lived in La Marque for 52 years.
She loved to read, crochet, cook, square dance, camp, listen to Bluegrass, play games, and watch sports. She was an avid La Marque Cougars fan and she always rooted for the Astros and Texans. Frances was a devoted wife to Douglas for more than 61 years before he passed away. She was a caring and loving mother to D.A. and Kathi and a grandma that loved to brag on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was a homemaker for many years but went to work in the 1970s at UTMB where she worked until her retirement. She was a proud member of Trinity Lutheran Church in La Marque, the Galveston Isle-amanders Square Dance Club, UTMB Retirees Association, and former volunteer at the Galveston Gateway Visitor’s Center.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Douglas Mattes, and her sister Margaret Crane. Frances is survived by her son, D.A. Mattes and Darla; her daughter Kathi Hernandez and Ray; granddaughter Melissa Tortorici and her children Mia and Mitchell; granddaughter Amy Mattes; granddaughter Julie Scully and Kenny and their children Shelby Rich, Megan Rich and Robby Scully; grandson Jeffery Hernandez and his daughter Gabriella; brother Robert Smith and Pat; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jerry and Katherine Gray; numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Jeffery Hernandez and Mitchell Tortorici and nephews Brian Smith, Boyce Smith, Jerry Gray, Jr., and Larry Gray. Honorary pallbearers will be L.F. Van Landingham, Bobby Van Landingham and Jerry Gray, Sr.
Visitation will be on Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque. Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2015 at Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque with Pastor C.O. Magee officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster.