Anna Lee Stakes Matthews

Long-time Mont Belvieu resident Anna Lee Stakes Matthews died at age 96 on January 26, 2011 in Mont Belvieu, TX. She was born in Roberts Cove, LA on March 1, 1914, the youngest child born to Rose Anna and Jessie Houston Stakes. Her family moved from Louisiana to the oilfields of Texas, Orange Field and Mont Belvieu. She was selected the first Homecoming Queen of Mont Belvieu High School. Shortly thereafter she met the love of her life, Joe E. Matthews, at a community picnic. They were married for 75 years before he preceded her in death in 2009. She is survived by her son Guy E. Matthews and wife Carolyn of Houston, a granddaughter Heather Camfield, her husband Paul, son Ramsey Al-Azem and daughters Carter and Cally, a granddaughter Kelly Gerber, her husband Carl, their sons Jason and Jeff, and many nieces and nephews. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Her life was devoted to her husband, child, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For many years she lived with her husband overseas as he worked for Exxon. They lived in Sweden, Japan, and Greece, and later in California. They returned to Mont Belvieu in the 1970's and resumed an active life in the community. She was a loyal and active member of First United Methodist Church of Mont Belvieu; she sang in the choir and participated in women of the church activities as she was able. A memorial service will be held at 3 pm, Sunday, January 30 at the First United Methodist Church of Mont Belvieu, Rev. Jamie Lea officiating. A private interment will be held before the service. Her family will receive visitors from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday, Jan. 29 at Navarre Funeral Home, Baytown, TX. Special thanks to caregivers Beverly Williams, Geneva Brown, Latunya Ellis, Marilyn Murphy, Mary Ellen Randolph, and Marian L. Russell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to First United Methodist Church, 10629 Eagle Dr., PO Box 530, Mont Belvieu, TX 77580, (281) 576-1832. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Camfield, Carl Gerber, Frank Jordan, and Jim Hale. Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.