Barbara Ellen White Matheny

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Barbara Ellen White Matheny

1928-2026

Barbara Ellen Matheny, age 97, of Sabinal passed away January 16, 2026, at Veranda Senior Living in Uvalde.

She was born on January 20, 1928, in the farmhouse north of Sabinal to Lenna Felts White and Yorce White.

She is survived by daughters, Paula Furr of San Antonio, Caroline Driscoll and husband Kenneth of Alamogordo NM, Judith Kincaid and husband Daniel Kincaid of Sabinal, Kristine Mesko and husband Paul of McKinney, Patricia Sewell and husband Michael of Leakey, and Marilyn Kite and husband Gary of Alamogordo, NM; son, Robert and wife Linda of Alamogordo, NM; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lester, brother Homer and sister Eva O'Bryant.

Barbara was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and graduated from Sabinal High School at the age of 16. She married Lester Denton Matheny on February 25, 1947.

Barbara worked at the drug store in Sabinal, raised a big, beautiful family and, beginning at the age of 53, spent 17 years working for Sabinal High School as library assistant, retiring at the age of 70. In preparation for employment, she attended SWTJC and earned college credit in Introduction to Computers and watercolor. In 1989 the Yellowjacket Yearbook staff dedicated that edition to her for unwavering support of the high school students in their research and book reports.

During Cypress City Days one year she placed second in a hammer-and-nail-driving contest for women, losing to a young "tomboy" lady less than half her age. For the next 18 years she was primary caregiver for her husband Lester until his death in 2009. After 8 years alone, cooking for holiday gatherings, tending her garden and mowing grass, she sold their home in 2017 and moved to New Forest Haven assisted living center in San Antonio for 7 years and then Veranda Senior Living in Uvalde for 2 ½ years.

Fond memories include expertly homemade clothes, costumes, needlepoints and delicate crocheted items and delicious jam, jelly, desserts, and nutritious meals from her very large garden. She also provided hundreds of homemade cupcakes and sandwiches for sports, band and one-act play boosters to support the numerous talents of her children. She was an expert at canning and freezing fruits, vegetables, pickles and award-winning desserts. Most famous was her pecan pie. Casseroles, pickles, desserts, cookies and candies were often given as gifts and to grieving families. During the summer, Sunday afternoons were spent at Thompson's Sabinal River crossing with swimming and a picnic lunch. Her wishes to see the Grand Canyon, ocean at Galveston and to walk on the sand were fulfilled.

Funeral service for Barbara will be held at the Sabinal Church of Christ, led by David Sprott, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Sabinal Cemetery. Pallbearers are her son Bob Matheny, sons-in-law Dan Kincaid and Michael Sewell, and grandsons Brian Kincaid, Joe Kincaid and Monte Mitchell, and great-grandsons, AJ Schultz and Drew Schultz.

Donations may be made to Sabinal ISD, c/o Jessica Clark, Counselor, reference: Barbara Matheny Memorial Scholarship. Contact information: jclark@sabinalisd.net (830)988-2472 ext. 2003