Maxine May Matson, 79, of Sweet Home died May 4, 2009.
She was born July 27. 1929 in Marilton, Ark., to Sherman and Julie May (Williams) Wells.
She lived in Arkansas until the sixth grade. As a teenager she came to Oregon, where she met her husband, Fred, in Bend. He served in the Army during World War II. They married when she was 16 years old and started their family. They moved to Sweet Home to raise their family. Eventually they moved to Calapooia, where they still have their family home.
Mrs. Matson was always a hard worker and loved the outdoors and gardening. She was always a loving mother and took great care in making sure her family was well kept. She enjoyed visiting the Oregon coast and the dunes. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Matson is survived by her children, Geralyn Wands and Betty Lou Groves of Sweet Home, Charlene Matson of Salem, Imagean Thompson of Lyons, and Alfred Wayne Matson and Norma Rae Hutson of Sweet Home; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; son, Raymond Burt Matson in 1997; daughter Julie Ann May Burroughs in 2007; three brothers; and one sister, Nettie Reynolds.
A funeral service was held May 9 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.