Final arrangements are entrusted to Emanuel Funeral Home-Palestine.

Services will be held:

Saturday, September 19, 2026

11:00 AM

Pilgrim Rest Community Church

21924 FM 542

Oakwood, Texas

Pastor Nathan Dawson, Pastor

Reverend Clyde Mathews, Officiant

Reverend Johnny Taylor, Eulogist

Burial:

Shiloh Cemetery

Oakwood, Texas

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Elmira Mathews was born in Oakwood, Texas on Dec. 30, 1938. She was the seventh child born to Hansom Sr. & Novellar Mathews. A welcomed addition to the already vibrant family, she would be the glue that connected them for a lifetime.

Elmira attended St. Paul-Shiloh-Timesville Schools, where she played basketball and was a standout competitor in League Speech & Debate. After she graduated from High School she worked with the family on the land and picked cotton in Crockett, Texas. In 1957 her high school sweetheart, John Ira Hicks, who had established himself in California, returned to Texas for a trip. He proposed to Elmira and two days later, on Oct 1st they were married by Rev. George Bailey. They whisked away to Los Angeles, CA a few days later as Husband & Wife. John & Elmira were inseparable and together they built a beautiful life. They were married for 67 years and to this union had four children. "Being a mother was one of her greatest accomplishments", she shared often.

Elmira had a fulfilling career in retail management working with major brands like Clark's Drugstore, Sears and Ralph Lauren. She was also an entrepreneur who owned and operator her own art & novelty store. In addition, she was a Regional Director for Princess House Crystal, earning sales awards and building teams across California, Arizona and Nevada.

A Proverb's 31 woman - always united & serving faithfully in the local church. She was dedicated and served in many leadership roles throughout her life including Youth Director, Choir President, a Deaconess and Church secretary. A woman of Faith who raised her children to reverence God. She was not afraid to witness & evangelize. Nor was she afraid to open her heart to others. Singing was her greatest passion - a high soprano with the ability to harmonize and lead solos. John's job at Sante Fe Railroad took them from LA to San Diego and then Barstow where they would eventually retire.

In 1997 they moved back to Oakwood after 40 years in California. Upon relocating to Oakwood she reunited with Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church where she served with pride & honor. In her spare time she loved to garden, sew, do crossword puzzles, talk to her family on the phone and watch westerns - she could watch these all day long.

Elmira was the Matriarch of the Mathews family - the oldest living daughter who cherished her family deeply. She was respected by her family who always knew they could count on her for guidance, honesty and good laughs. Several conversations about marriage, politics, business and life were had in the den, on the phone or around the dining table.

In 2024 she became an author when her journals were curated to create a book entitled, "With all My Heart" that was written for her family, so they would know her better.

On Sept 6, 2026, early in the morning, God spoke and carried her home to glory. Elmira leaves to mourn her children; Corina (Eddie) Jackson, Jonita (Adam Sr.) White, John Hicks Jr. and Ericka (Melvin) Parker. Grandchildren; LaShawn Jackson, Miesha Jackson, Marqueta (Brian) Collins, Shemicka (Kesi) Buckles, John Phillip Hicks, Breann Hicks, Whitney Hicks, Adam White Jr., and Madison Parker. 10 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great Grandsons. 5 Godchildren. The Hicks-Warfield-West family, Mathews-Robin-Johnson family, The Mims family, her "girls" :) and a host of relatives & friends.

She is proceeded in death by her husband John Ira, her parents and all of her siblings (RL, NV, Marvin "Bugga", Elvira "Nell", Clyde "C", Zerlee, Harold "Duck", Hansom "T-Baby" and Patsy Ann). The Mathews Family is "Together Again".

We who are left behind will cherish all of the memories and do our best to carry on her legacy and keep the family together.