Mattie Lorene Needs

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - Mattie Lorene Needs, 96, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 peacefully with her daughter by her side. Born on November 18th, 1927 to Nela and Denton Henley of Fort Worth, Texas, Mattie was one of 5 children.
She married Rex Whiting in 1942, and they bore two children together, Donna (Whiting) White and Ronnie Whiting. Mattie and Rex divorced in the early 60's. In 1968, she married Alfred (Al) Needs, and they moved to Spokane, Washington where they lived for many years before returning to Bedford, Texas to be closer to her grandchildren.
Stunningly beautiful, Mattie was also a very talented artist - painting beautiful landscapes and portraits in oil and acrylic paint and sketching Native Americans in pencil. Her love of art began as a young child and remained a large part of her life until her dying day. She also loved to tend to her roses and kept meticulous care of her yard well into her 80's.
Mattie was the most loving mother and grandmother; she loved us all fiercely. Sassy, stubborn, and stronger than anyone you have EVER met, Mattie was also blessed with an amazing sense of humor; we laughed heartily every time we were together. Every time, when asked how she was doing, her reply was always "I'm fine as frog's hair." She loved to laugh and had a happy soul. She pushed through every challenge in her life with incredible strength and resilience. She is already very dearly missed.
Mattie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Al Needs; son, Ronnie Whiting; parents, Nela & Denton Henley; brother, James Henley; sisters, Jo Monzingo and Carol Jones.
She is survived by a long list of people who love her, including but not limited to: daughter, Donna White and son-in-law, John White; sister, Helen Young and her children, Mark and Beverly Young; granddaughters, Leesa Whiting, Melanie (Whiting) Borowczyk, Laura White and Michele (White) Kruger; great-grandchildren, Victoria Whiting, Brad May, Brandon May, Christian May, Thomas May, Nash Kruger, Natalia Kruger and Holden White; as well as many nieces, nephews and great-great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly.
Funeral: 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 in Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Visitation: 6:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, in the Breyley Room at Mount Olivet Chapel.