Frances Ellen Link Matthews

\and her children arise and call her blessed\ Proverbs 31:28Frances Ellen Link Matthews, 90, of Midland passed away on September 18, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. The family will be accepting guests from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Monday, September 21, 2015 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, with reception to follow. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Welch, Andy Welch, Wesley Welch, Parker Foy, Michael Meir, Justin Cormack, Will Straw, John Suchand, Russell Booth, and Trevor Kitchingham.Frances was born on December 7th, 1924 in Thurber, Texas to Lewis Charles and Sarah Ann Binney Link. When she was six the family moved to Midland where Lewis was an early scout for T & P Coal and Oil. After moving to Midland, her baby sister Sarah Lew was welcomed into the world completing the family. Midland was her home for the next 84 years. In the early 1940s, Midland was selected as a bombardier school for the Army Air Corps. Some \fly boys\ from the new base crashed a high school dance hoping to meet some local girls. It was at that dance Frances Ellen met Flight Instructor Jack Matthews from Red Bank, New Jersey who proceeded to court her through graduation from Midland High School in May 1942 and while she attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas. They married June 26, 1943 at First Presbyterian Church in Midland. Immediately following they were stationed at bases in New Mexico, Kansas, and Florida before he was deployed to the Pacific theater. After piloting 23 missions over Japan in a B-29 Super Fortress, he returned home to Frances and they began their family.Frances devoted her life to what she loved best, her husband, three daughters, family, church and friends. She served as a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian, PTA president, Girl Scout leader and Junior League member. She loved her participation in the Rake and Spade Garden Club, her bridge clubs and her Secret Six. After Jack's passing in 1995 Frances carried on the family oil and ranching business with her daughters. But above all her heart was in her home. She was generous, kind, authentic and loving. We will miss her greatly.She is survived by her daughters Judith Matthews Craig of Midland, Bonnie Matthews Welch and husband John of Wolfforth, Texas and Susan Matthews Foy and husband Steve of Austin, and her sister Sarah Lew Link Grimes and husband David of Midland. In addition her memory is cherished by her Chilean foreign exchange student daughter Kika Moreno.She was a devoted and loving grandmother to Bob Welch and wife Kristin of Franktown, Colorado; Andy Welch and wife Rianna of Manzanola, Colorado; Wesley Welch and wife Ledah of Wolfforth,Texas; Sarah Meir and husband Michael of Houston; Ellie Cormack and husband Justin of Fort Worth; Claire Straw and husband Will of London, England; Tawney Booth and husband Russell of Austin; Ashley Suchand and husband John of Dallas; Randa Kitchingham and husband Trevor of Monroe, Louisiana; and Parker Foy of Austin.In addition, she was also Mimi to great-grandchildren (in order of their birth) Tate Welch, Susie Lew Cormack, Allie Welch, Kayla Welch, Brintley Kitchingham, Charlie Suchand, Colt Kitchingham, Jack Meir, Maggie Welch, Grace Welch, Emily Welch, Landis Suchand, Owen Welch, Bob Meir, Matthew Straw, Bonnie Cormack, C. S. Welch, Hudson Booth and Sylvie Meir.Her survivors also include many nieces and nephews from the Grimes and Matthews families.Such a legacy.She is preceded in death by her parents L.C. and Sarah Link and her husband John Alfred (Jack) Matthews.The family would like to express their gratitude to Virginia Ortega and Elizabeth Millan for their extraordinary love, devotion and care; as well as to the wonderful staff of Delicate Caregivers.If inclined to make a donation in memory of Frances, the family requests consideration be given to High Sky Children's Ranch, Presbyterian Children's Home and Services, or Hospice of Midland.Ephesians 3:14 – 21.,