Judith Ann Matthews, born on November 6, 1958, passed away on July 29, 2025, at the age of 66. She is survived by her only child and his wife, Tyler Wayne Matthews and Kailey Elizabeth Matthews, and her granddaughter Clover Naomi Matthews, aged 14 months. She is also survived by her mother, Jewel "Judy" Dean Clay, and her sister, Oma LaRae Parman. Judith was preceded in death by her father, Ray Walter Robert Clay, and her twin brother, Matt Wayne Clay.

Judith was raised in Reydon, Oklahoma, where she graduated from Reydon High School in 1977 and was a baptized member of the Reydon Church of Christ. While in high school, she had a notorious dominance on the basketball court known throughout Reydon's competitive district. After graduation, she earned her cosmetology license from the beauty school in Pampa, TX. After marriage and the birth of her son, she earned her Associate's Degree in Administrative Assistance from Lee College, a commendable achievement for a woman who moved forward with both intention and independence.

To know Judith was to witness passion in its most human form. She carried herself with a strong back and a sharp wit, entirely at home commanding a room. She was a fan of stand-up comedians like George Carlin and Richard Pryor. She was also a fan of live music. Through their shared humor and musical interests, she and her son discovered new avenues to bond, laugh, and grow closer in her final years.

Her home was a small gallery of the things she loved: grey wolves in winter, caught in sculptures and paintings. Flowers bloomed in carefully chosen pots along her front porch, welcoming visitors with fresh life. And she always kept a four legged companion nearby. Cat or dog, it did not matter. They were all loved.

Judith's life orbited her family. As a mother, she taught her son basketball in the driveway, encouraged his passions as he grew, and never abdicated a decision to chance. Some of their happiest moments were spent at the zoo, a ritual now passed on to her granddaughter Clover, whose wonder mirrors Judith's own love of animals of all kinds.

She had a spirit that never stopped wondering. She was deeply and persistently curious about people, places, and ideas. That curiosity sustained her spirit and fueled her purpose. And when life grew difficult, as it sometimes did, she never let go of her sense of wonder or her conviction. She could talk for hours about anything that spurred deep thoughts while holding onto her core beliefs and convictions. She passed on three enduring lessons to her son: save every penny, stand on your own, and be at peace with who you are.

Judith Ann Matthews left this world with her passions, her interests, and her dreams intact. Let us all remember the blessings of the enthusiasm, the conviction, and the bravery of a life lived fully.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6th, at the Church of Christ in Reydon, Oklahoma, followed by interment at White Rose Cemetery. Message and ceremony will be delivered by Brad Clay, her nephew. Hymn singing will be led by Chuck Milner, the minister of Reydon's Church of Christ. Special music and order of service will be performed and organized by Tyler Wayne Matthews, her son.