Lucille Johnson Matthews
A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Mrs. Lucille Johnson Matthews, 81, of Welsh at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Welsh, with Father Pradeep Gali of St. Joseph Catholic Church officiating.
Visitation with family and friends will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. Friday in First Baptist Church, located at 500 S. Adams St. Welsh.
Burial will be in Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings.
Lucille was born June 14, 1940, in Natchitoches to the late Eunice Camille and Lucius Johnson, Jr. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 31, 2021, in Missouri City, Texas. Lucille was the second of nine children. She attended Natchitoches public schools and graduated from Natchitoches Central High School. She attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, where she majored in English with a minor in library science. Upon graduation from Southern University in 1964, Lucille moved to Welsh where she began her teaching career at Bethune High School. Lucille transferred to Welsh High when schools were integrated, where she primarily served as the librarian.
She received her master’s degree in English from McNeese State University in Lake Charles. Lucille retired from Jefferson Davis Parish School Board in January 1998 after 33 years of service. While residing in Welsh, Lucille was introduced to a Welsh resident named Paul Dennis Matthews. The two were united in marriage on Aug. 4, 1967, in Welsh. They had been married 53 years and 11 months when Paul Dennis passed away on July 3, 2021. To their union were five children. Lucille and Paul raised their five children in Welsh and remained residents of the Welsh community until their journey home.
Lucille was a lifelong servant to her community and her church. She was a faithful and active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Welsh. She was also an active participant in the Father Baudizonne Court No. 48 Ladies Auxiliary; Knights of Peter Claver Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace Chapter No 22; Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus; St. Joseph’s Parish Council; Southern University Alumni Jennings; James Ward Federal Credit Union Board of Directors; Louisiana Association of Educators; National Education Association; National Association of University Women; and a sponsor of multiple school and community youth clubs and organizations. Lucille served as the organizer of the St. Joseph Catholic Church Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (Catechism) Program for multiple years.
Lucille was a lady in the truest sense of the word. She had a quiet but dignified demeanor. She was an avid reader and loved working on crossword puzzles. She exhibited patience beyond measure. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Lucille is survived by son Gerald Keith Matthews of The Woodlands, Texas; daughters Anjanette (Jackie) Etienne, Camille (Calvin) Painter and Denyse (Jaron) Thorne, all of Missouri City, Texas; Paul’s children, Ray Anthony (Myrna) Matthews of Pearland, Texas, and Melvin James (Leila) Matthews of Houston, Texas; sisters Luella Rivers of Monroe,Grace Farley of Pittsburgh, Texas, Yvonne Middleton of Tampa, Fla., Betty (Willie) Thrash of Dallas, Texas, and Audrey (Donald) Johnson of Milwaukee, Wis.; brothers Lucius (Kathy) Johnson III of Roswell, Ga., and Daryl Keith (Kim) Johnson of Chicago, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Regina Matthews; sister-in-law Lemelda Carrier; brother-in-law Lyness ‘Guy’ Matthews; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Dennis Matthews; one son, Gerard Paul Matthews; brother Charles Leonard; and her parents, Eunice Camille and Lucius Johnson II.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.semien-lewismortuary.com.