Bennie Matthews

Our beloved matriarch, Bennie Crenshaw Matthews was born on September 10, 1929. She was the youngest of five siblings, Emma Stubblefield, Albert Ray Crenshaw, George W. Crenshaw and Paul L. Crenshaw, born to Johnson and Geneva Crenshaw.
Mrs. Matthews earned her Bachelor of Science in chemistry and mathematics from
Huston–Tillotson University in Austin and her Master of Science in chemistry and mathematics
from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.
A Texas City resident since 1959. She was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Alex Matthews and this marriage remained until his passing in 2001. She was inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1948 and in 1970, she became one of the charter members of the local chapter, Gamma Omega Omega. A distinguished educator, she retired after 42 years of teaching within the LaGrange and La Marque School Districts. She was a dedicated College of the Mainland Board Trustee for over 36 years. Beyond her contributions to local and state education, Mrs. Matthews held membership in various organizations. She has volunteered and served on many committees, and boards for the betterment of her community. She was a Golden Life Member of the NAACP, a life member of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), La Marque ISD Foundation for the Future Board and the College of the Mainland Foundation Board. She was the former state director of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, a past president of the Mainland Retired Teachers Association, a former president of the La Marque Classroom Teachers Organization and a former secretary of the District Four Retired Teachers Association, charter member of the Galveston County Coalition of Black Democrats, volunteered for the American Red Cross just to name a few. Because of her dedication to her community and educational affairs she was awarded with numerous awards. Highlighting her awards would be College of the Mainland naming the first floor of the newly renovated Student Center as the "Bennie Matthews Commons."
She was a faithful member of St. George´s Episcopal Church where she served on several committees and as a licensed lay-leader.
A stalwart community servant, her leadership, wisdom and love will be enormously missed by all.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings. She is survived by nephews and niece, John Matthews, Jr. (Jeri), Douglas Matthews (Janis), and LaCherry Matthews; niece in love, Ella Matthews; great-nieces and nephews, Ursula Matthews, Johnette Matthews, Murry Matthews, Ashley Matthews Greenleaf (Chris) and Alexandra 'Alex' Matthews Clay (Corrington), Dr. LaDora Matthews and their children as well as other family members, dear friends and colleagues.