Irene Slayton Matthews was born March 5, 1935 at home in Coleman County to G.J. Slayton and Gladys Keeney Slayton.  She grew up and attended school in Coleman.  On July 24, 1953, she married Willie Matthews in Artesia, New Mexico.

Survivors include her husband, Willie Matthews of Coleman; four children, Billy Matthews and wife, Becky of Early, Darlene Matthews of Coleman, Frankie Matthews of Coleman, Rose Mary Rollins of Granger; special niece Debra Horton Dean and husband Roddy of Santa Anna.  Irene also considered special friends Becky Brooks, Cheryl Brooks, and Jamie Lundgren as her daughters; five sisters, Louise Strength of Coleman, Fredna Horton of Santa Anna, Frances Smith and husband Charlie of Waldrip, Sandra Wilson of Coleman, and Delores Fenton and husband, Bobby of Johnson City; five grandchildren, Guy McElrath of Coleman, Dana McElrath Herrington and husband James of Miles, Barbi Balliet and husband Mike of Corpus Christi, Brooke Newman and husband Josh of Rio Rancho New Mexico, Sage Brooks of Coleman; five great grandchildren, Mikayla Mayo of Abilene, Zeke Mayo of Coleman, Jaysie McElrath of Cross Plains, Cole Balliet of Corpus Christi and Kynlee Brooks of Coleman and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, G.J. and Gladys Slayton, Irene was preceded in death by two brothers, Kemp Slayton and G.W. Slayton; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Vivian Matthews; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Cotton and Delma Matthews, Lester and Doris Matthews, Ruth and Bob Row; three brothers-in-law, Bill Strength, Rondoe Horton, and Bo Wilson; and one son-in-law, Matthew Rollins.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 22, 2016 at Stevens Funeral Home.

Condolences for the family may be left online at www.livingmemorials.com.