Billy Ruth Matthews passed from this life Sunday, December 1, 2002, in United Regional Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the age of sixty-one. She was born January 5, 1941, to Bill and Argilee Bernard in Waurika, Oklahoma. Mrs. Matthews was a homemaker. She and Donald Ray Matthews were united in marriage on June 30, 1970, in Carson City, NV. He preceded her in deathe on June 11, 2000.

Survivors include: two sons - Steven Matthews of San Jose, CA, and James Kerby of Wichita Falls, TX; four daughters - Diane Matthews of Medesca, CA, Chryss Seese of Waurika, OK, April Matthews of Wichita Falls, TX, and Marnie Reynolds of Wichita Falls, TX; Benny Bernard of Grandfiend, OK, Robert Bernard of Hollis, OK, and Jimmy Bernard of Waurika, OK; one sister, Alta Barr of Duncan, OK; twelve grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Argilee Bernard, her husband, Donald Ray Matthews, one son Michael Kerby, one daughter, Rev. Carole Matthews, one sister Mary, and one grandchild.

Funeral services for Mrs. Matthews were at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 4, 2002, in the Dudley Funeral Home Chapel in Waurika with Mike Bernhardt officiating. Burial was in the Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Waurika.