Edith F. Matthews

Edith "Edee" Matthews went home to heaven on January 9, 2026, in Hanford, CA. She was born on January 13, 1941, in Gardner Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Matthews, son Charles Matthews, father George Dana, mother Elma Dana, and sisters Georgie Riggs (preceded by husband John), and Pauline Dana, as well as nieces, Janet and Diane.

She is survived by her children; son Kent Matthews (daughter in-law Kimberly), and daughter Lori Medina (son in-law Albert), and foster daughter, Tracie Drees (partner Joe). She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Peggy, Donna, Beverly, Jennifer, Vickie, Don, Dean, and Julie. Edith had five grandchildren, Kurtis (wife Aarika), Ashlee, Jamie, Kaitlin (husband Chad), and Christyann (fiance James), as well as her foster grandchildren Megan (husband Xtisin) and Brandon. Edith was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Grace, Jerry, Emma, Abbie, Haylee, Rhett, Vivian, and Adaline, as well as her foster great-grandchildren Faith, Cyrus, and Xeila.

Edith grew up in Kansas, helping on the family farm with her sisters. She married her husband Lyle in 1961 and was a homemaker while caring for her two children. Lyle was stationed at and retired from NAS Lemoore, and they settled in Hanford.

Edith loved attending bluegrass music festivals and local jam events as well as crocheting and teaching her loved ones everything she knew. She had the patience of a saint, and loved showing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to cook, create things, and tend to her many plants. She shared her love for music with anyone who resonated, and would often enjoy sharing her plants and their care methods with others. Edith was always happy, gleeful, and playful. She will be remembered for her warm, sweet smile that took up her entire face.

Edith was not just a person, she was an experience. That's why everyone loved her. People who had just met her would fall in love instantly. She had so many honorary children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren due to her loving and accepting nature. She truly knew what it was to teach and spread love out into the world. She was very strong and resilient, having been through multiple health battles, and coming out of each one stronger and better than before. She "roared" like a lion as an inside family joke, but her soul also roared with the strength she had within her and shared with all of us.

The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the hardworking ICU team at Adventist Health Hospital for their immaculate care and compassion for Edith and the family during her 7-day battle at the hospital, especially her main RN Beth.

Funeral services for Edith will be held Friday, January 16, 2026, at 8:30am-10:30am, (address: 100 W Bush St., Hanford, CA, 93230), and graveside services will immediately follow at Lemoore Cemetery at 11:00am, (address: 1441 N Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, CA, 93245).