Doris Elaine Mathews

Doris Elaine Mathews

November 18, 1925 – March 20, 2008 due to a massive stroke.
Born Doris Rich in Harrisburg, Il; graduated from Harrisburg High School; received her AA degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL; received her BA from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1953; she met her future husband the first day on campus in Sept ’48 at the freshman mixer. They were married March 12, 1950. After graduation, they moved to Evansville, IN for 2 ½ years, until Boeing moved them to Seattle in Nov ’53. Their first child, Cynthia Dianne, was born 1 month later, followed by Kevin Thomas in Dec ’57, and Darren Charles in Aug ’62.
Doris worked briefly at Boeing, and Top Hat Fuel before working for 20 years as a substitute teacher in the Highline School District. Upon retiring, she became a fulltime doting grandmother helping raise 2 of her granddaughters, Monica Doris and Nicole Thi Thai.
She was a charter member and very active in the early days of the First Baptist Church of Beverly Park. She enjoyed teaching a young people’s Bible Study group at the Thien An Vietnamese Baptist Church.
Doris is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas C. Mathews, her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Rod Richardson; her brother Robert Rich and sister-in-law, Mae; her brother Jerry Rich and sister-in-law, Dianna; and her sister-in-law, Nita Rich, as well as many nieces and nephews. Also, her ‘adopted’ sons, Tri Thai, Phuc Ly, and Kha Hong and their families, including seven grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved sons, Kevin Thomas Mathews and Darren Charles Mathews; her beloved brother, Donald Rich, and her parents, Fannie Rich Mings, and Charles Rich.
She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Memorial Services will be held Saturday, March 29th at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Beverly Park, 11659 1st Ave. S; luncheon will follow.