Claude E. Matthews

Claude E. Matthews, age 61, of Waco, passed away early Saturday morning, March 22, 2014 at Crestview Manor in Waco. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Boniface Onjefu officiating. Graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco Claude was born May 24, 1952 in Waco to the late Charles E. and Theresa "Jerry" (Ringle) Matthews. He was born with Down's syndrome but was lucky to be born at a time when a number of Waco women began to work to provide education and social services to the mentally handicapped of our community. Claude was the reason and the inspiration behind his mother's years of activism on MHMR issues, first locally and then later on the state level in Austin, which benefited so many other families with special needs. Besides their love and support, Claude's parents gave him a strong work ethic and the thing he most treasured - his independence. As a result Claude was able to work in the public for most of his adult life. He was particularly proud of the 16 years that he worked at Penland Hall at Baylor University. In 1974 he was chosen as McLennan County Handicapped Worker of the Year and later that same year received the State Handicapped Worker of the Year award, making him the first in Texas with his mental challenges to be given both of these awards and in doing so provided an example of hope for many families with special needs children. For years he was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco. Claude took his faith seriously, and his honest conversations with God and sincere prayers of thanks at holiday meals will be long remembered. We know of no one happier to get to Heaven, or more deserving of being there. He was very proud of his family. He is survived by his brothers Dr. Charles Matthews and his wife Julia of Aquilla and their children, his brother Dr. Douglas Matthews and his wife Missie of Lawton, Oklahoma and their children, and his sister Becky Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. along with her children. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and in-laws who delighted in their time with him. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Crestview HealthCare Residence especially Barbara Gilmore and the Hospice staff at Providence Hospital especially Gay Fox.