Deanie Branch Matthews, 92

Deanie Branch Matthews, 92, passed away Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Jayton, Texas. Graveside services were held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021, in the Jayton Cemetery under the direction of Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home. Visitation was Sunday, July 25, 2021, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home in Rotan.

Deanie was born on May 2, 1929, in Fisher County, Texas, to George and Ruby (Patton) Branch. She graduated from Jayton High School and married Jimmy Matthews on March 23, 1947, in Jayton.

Deanie’s home and family were her top priority, especially her five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who affectionately called her “Ma.” She loved taking care of her ranch and would go out two to three times a week to check on her cows, before her health started to decline. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Jayton.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jimmy; her infant son, George Rodney Matthews; two sisters, Arylene Branch and Jeane Oliver; and her brother-in-law, Ben Oliver.

Deanie is survived by her two daughters, Kim Zimmer and Julie Bleiker, and son-in law John Bleiker, all of Jayton; grandchildren Lezli and Eric Waits of Columbus, Miss., Matt and Ashley Zimmer of Amarillo, Texas, George and Madison Zimmer of Miami, Texas, Ryan and Hillary Bleiker of Jayton, Texas, and Jenna Bleiker of Abilene, Texas; nine grandchildren, Emily and Meg Waits, Dayton and Easton Bleiker, Kelton, Carter, Allison, Charlotte Zimmer, and Greyson Sims.