of Little Rock, AR
July 31, 1934 - January 4, 2020
Our Lord wrapped his arms around Margaret Matson (Dewberry) on January 4, 2020 in Little Rock. Mrs. Matson was surrounded by her husband of 52 years, Harry 'Buddy' Matson, and her son Tracy.
Mrs. Matson was born July 31, 1934 in White County, was raised on a farm near Harmony, Arkansas and graduated as salutatorian from Searcy High School. She went to college at Henderson State University. Margaret began her teaching career at Bald Knob High School and joined the faculty of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. At Little Rock Central, she served as the chair of the English Department, retiring in 1986. Among her greatest passions was the Central football program. Each year she would require her 10th grade students to learn the school Alma Mater. Her first test to students on the first Friday of school was to sing the Alma Mater in class. She loved to be a spectator at all the sports at Central and she continued to follow and cheer for the Tigers long after she retired from teaching.
Margaret and Buddy met in her first year as a teacher at Little Rock Central and enjoyed a nine-year courtship before being married in the Bale Chapel at Asbury United Methodist Church. They resided in West Little Rock and enjoyed traveling the country to attend Civitan conventions. In her retirement, she managed the books for The Matson Agency, the insurance agency owned by Buddy and Tracy. She took great joy in spending time with her granddaughter Emily.
Many who knew Margaret know that her face lit up at the mention of Elvis Presley, whom she met while visiting his pre-Graceland home on Audubon Drive with members of the Arkansas Elvis Presley Fan Club. For any who doubted the story, Margaret produced proof - a photo of Elvis with his arm around her. While posing for the photo, Elvis told her he wished his English teacher was as pretty as she.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Carthel and Mattie, her brothers James and Eugene and sister-in-law Harriett Harper. In addition to Buddy, Tracy (Allison) and Emily, she is survived by her sister Leah Moss and niece Maggie Moss of Paris, Texas, brother-in-law Hop Harper of Baxter Springs, Kansas, sister-in-law Midge Abercrombie and niece Pam Abercrombie (Johnny) of Little Rock, and nephews Russ Harper, David Harper, and Skip Harper of Baxter Springs, Kansas.
A funeral service will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Little Rock at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, 72212, where she and Buddy were members for 52 years. Please also consider memorials to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arkansas, 312 West Pershing Boulevard, North Little Rock, 72114.
The family would like to thank the staff in the H Wing of the ICU at UAMS for their outstanding care.
Mrs. Matson was my home room teacher at Central High School from 1959-1962. She was a wonderful mentor and friend.
We are sorry to read about Margaret passing. Lisa and Lana loved her English class. We had a lot of fun times with you guys. I could not attend the service. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Tracy.
My sincere condolences to the family of Margaret. She was a dear friend to my mom, Mary Fox Sparrow, and enjoyed telephone visits with her often through the years as they talked about growing up in Harmony and about their families. Mrs. Matson was my 10th grade English teacher and I learned lots that year. She was a very kind and caring person.
To the Matson Family, I'm sorry for your loss. Mrs. Matson was my English teacher at Central. She was a great teacher. May the Lord be with your family during these times.
Buddy, Sorry for your loss. Her spirit and memory of a good life lives on for you.
Ken Haremza
Harry and Tracy I am so sorry for your loss . I just found out last night of her passing. Margaret was such a caring person and Loved by many including me. I so wish I could be there to see ya'll. May God bless and keep you . May he give you peace, strength and comfort . This is my prayer. I did truly loved Margaret she was one in a million. If you need anything let me know.
Bud:
Beverly and I are so sorry for your loss. We know that Margaret is now at peace and resting in his hands. we will you in our prayers.
Buddy and Tracy,
I join you in heartfelt sorrow at the passing of a great teacher and booster of Little Rock Central High school. I know her loss will be greatly felt among the legions of students who passed through her classes at the Home of The Tigers.
Buddy and Family
I am so sorry I will not be able to be there for you, but Shirley and I send our prayers to all of you.
Tracy, so sorry to hear about the homegoing of Ms. Matson.
We the employees of Central Licensing Bureau extend to you and your father our condolences.
We will remember you in our prayers.
Buddy, Tracy and family
I am so sorry for your loss. While only having the good fortune of meeting Margaret a few times, I could tell she was a wonderful person.
My deepest sympathy
Buddy and Tracy, you have my deepest sympathy.
Harry, Sorry for your loss. Remember the good times. I'm sure you have many wonderful memories to cherish.
Buddy I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife. May you feel God's comfort now and in the days ahead.
Buddy you have my deepest condolences. I well remember the relationship that you and Margaret had while we were in school. You guy were a great inspiration to me.
God Bless You and your family.
I was in Miss Dewberry’s homeroom 1962-1965. She was a delight and added to good memories of my high school years. My deepest condolences on your loss.
Buddy and Tracey, You are in my heart and prayers during this time of loss of your Wife and Mother. May you feel God's comfort as you traverse these next few weeks celebrating her life,and wonderful memories of times shared!
I had the honor of being part of this sweet lady's life. I called her Aunt Margaret because my 2nd mom, her sister, Leah Dawn Moss made her family feel like it was my family too! I have been in their lives since infancy. She was one of the most elegant, kind, loving, and down to earth ladies I ever met. She could make you feel comfortable with just a smile. I loved it when we were going to visit her. I could sit and listen to her talk and tell us stories of things that happened in their lives in the past. She was a true Southern Belle!! RIP Sweet lady you will be missed!
I was in her English Class in 1961. Prayers for her Son and family. She was a great teacher!
Buddy, Tracy,
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet Margaret. She was always the most beautiful woman, inside and out. You have been blessed to call her your wife/mother. May God be with you in this time of sorrow. ~~ RTIA MEDLOCK
Sincere, and deepest condolences to Mr. Matson and family. I remember Mrs. Matson well. She was always so kind to me. Rest in peace...
You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Miss. Dewberry was my 10 grade English teacher. She was kind, caring and a wonderful English teacher. I have never forgotten her and the impact she had on me. May you find comfort in her memory.
Fly high Mrs. Matson!
Bud I will be thinking and praying for you and family so sorry to hear of my favorite teacher’s death but as you know she was thousands of students favorite teacher
My thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort are with you during this time.
What a blessing to grow up two houses from the Matson family. Sure live Mrs. Matson and the impact she made on my life and the example she set for me as an educator. Praying for the Matson family.