Carolyn Mattes

July 20, 1923 - October 28, 2015

Lenora Caroline Mattes, known as Carolyn, of Decatur, TX, passed away on Wednesday,October 28, 2015 at the age of 92. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, July 23, 2016 in Fairlawn Cemetery with Rev. Joe Lawson officiating.  Carolyn was born on July 20, 1923 in Vandalia, Illinois to John Eakin and Earl Lenora Filer, both of Vandalia.   She had two  sisters  and  one brother, all of whom preceded her in death - Eunice Irene  Frisch of  Leesburg, Florida; Maurice Filer Eakin  of  Englewood,  Florida; and  Mary Madalyn  Eakin of Salida, Colorado. She attended schools in Vandalia, and transferred her high school credits to Columbia School, Tucson, Arizona, where she received her diploma on April 26, 1960. Carolyn married Harold Estes Mattes, Major Retired USAF, also of Vandalia, in St. Louis, MO on March 31, 1940.  He preceded her in death on March 27, 1994.  Being a military wife, she lived in Texas, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Germany.   Her main occupation was homemaker, but she also was a sales clerk at Sawyer's Mills in Dover, New Hampshire.  She loved playing bridge, which she played into her late 80's, and volunteered over 4500 hours with the hospital auxiliary in Decatur, TX. They had three children - Clara Joanne and husband Lt. Col.  (ret)  Dan R. McKinney of Decatur, TX; Capt. Stanley Harold Mattes, USAF, deceased; and Pamela Sue and husband David Ernest Rouleau of Paradise,  TX. They had six Grandchildren: Mylee Michelle Johnson and husband Gary; Dan R. McKinney, Jr and wife Diana; David Scott McKinney and wife Marine; and Mia Marina Russo and husband Gil; Stanley Harold Rouleau and wife Danelle; and Jeffrey Nelson Rouleau and wife Michelle. Nine Great Grandchildren: Westin and Rylee McKinney, Haley Lenore and Mathew Johnson, Chase Russo, David and Braden Rouleau, and Ethan and Olivia Rouleau. And many nieces and nephews whom she loved. Carolyn was a strong person. She had a hard life, growing up during the Depression, being a military wife with three children, and some serious health problems, but she never gave up. She loved her family, and she would be very pleased at the turnout today.