Anna Matheny's Obituary
Anna was, in the minds of those who knew and loved her, simply the best. Born to loving
parents, Alice and Sargis George, and a broad support group of aunts, uncles, and a grandmom,
July 4, 1946, in Miami, Anna was a Miamian from the moment of her birth till she and her
beloved husband, Walter Matheny, and their two young children, Keith and Kathryn, left the
Magic City in 1976, first for faraway Idaho, on to Georgia, then the Chicagoland area and finally
to Texas. Anna was also, from her youth onward, a magnificent person, always positive,
humble, spiritual and supportive of all who came within her presence.
Anna matriculated at Sts. Peter & Paul School, Immaculata High School, Dade County Junior
College, and the University of Miami, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary
education. At each stop along the way, she excelled as a student and acquired friends she
would cherish for the rest of her life while these same friends would share that same, rarified
feeling for her.
Anna’s university studies prepared her for what she became: a nonpareil first grade teacher, a
vocation she excelled at for more than forty years, the last twenty-six of them at Grace
Academy in Dallas, where she strove to first win the children to her then to assist in each child
to also love and trust her Lord and Savior. Along the way, she changed lives, garnered honors,
deflected praise, sprinkled compassion to students and all others around her as if it was angel
dust, and looked out upon packed dining areas and auditoriums as vast numbers of parents and
school administrators came out to praise her on occasions created in appreciation for her
prowess as a teacher and a compassionate leader.
Anna’s married and spiritual lives were even more impressive, as she lovingly nurtured two
children, Keith and Kathryn, spoiled her adoring husband daily, and even found time amid a
busy schedule to take care of an assortment of pets. And what stands out above all else when
one examines the splendid life of Anna was her deep love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
her family, her students, and humanity in general.
Anna leaves behind, in addition to her immediate family, Walt, Keith and Kathryn, are her
brothers, Paul and Edward, Paul’s wife Laura George, Edward’s partner Karen Pearson, son
Keith’s wife Kelly and their children, Megan and Madison. Additionally, Anna was a proud
aunt to Paul and Laura’s children Paul, Jr., Matthew and Maryrose, as well as Edward’s children,
Rhonda George, Jennifer “Jenny” Ward and husband Travis Ward, their children Jack, Charley
and Avery, and Allison Bahen and husband William Bahen, along with their children, Charlotte
and William. Also, a beloved sister-in-law, Elizabeth Matheny.
Anna and her family arrived in Dallas in 1982, and the town was never the same after. They
eventually became members of Grace Bible Church of Dallas and made lifetime friends there.
The church was an opportunity for Anna to not only profess her deep love for Jesus, but to
reach out and join a warm spiritual family she cherished for nearly four decades.
Anna’s final years were difficult because of serious health problems, but she endured them
through her deep love and trust of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the support of her loving
family and many, many friends, and a personality that always exhibit positivity.
Donations may be made in Anna’s honor to The Grace Academy Anna Matheny Legacy Fund,
which can be found at: gracead.ejoinme.org/mathenylegacyfund.
What’s your fondest memory of Anna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Anna?
Share a story where Anna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Anna you’ll never forget.
How did Anna make you smile?