A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mrs. Lucille Johnson Matthews, 81, of Welsh, La., at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church,  209 N Adams St, Welsh, LA.  Father Pradeep Gali of St. Joseph Catholic Church will officiate.  Visiting with family and friends will be from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. in First Baptist Church, 500 S Adams St. Welsh, LA.  Burial will be in the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, La.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.semien-lewismortuary.com

Lucille passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 31, 2021, in Missouri City, Texas.  Lucille was born June 14, 1940, in Natchitoches, La. to the late Eunice Camille and Lucius Johnson Jr.  She was the second of nine children.

Lucille attended Natchitoches public schools and graduated from Natchitoches Central High School.  She attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La., where she majored in English with a minor in Library Science.  Upon graduation from Southern University in 1964, Lucille moved to Welsh, La., where she began her teaching career at Bethune Highschool.  Lucille transferred to Welsh High, when schools were integrated, where she primarily served as the Librarian.  She received her master’s degree in English from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La.  Lucille retired from the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board in January 1998 after 33 years of service. 

While residing in Welsh, Lucille was introduced to a Welsh resident named Paul Dennis Matthews.  The two were united in marriage on Aug. 4, 1967, in Welsh.  They had been married 53 years and 11 months when Paul Dennis passed away on July 3, 2021.  To their union were five children.  Lucille and Paul raised their five children in Welsh and remained residents of the Welsh community until their journeys home.

Lucille was a lifelong servant to her community and her church.  She was a faithful and active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Welsh.  She was also an active participant in the Father Baudizonne Court No. 48 Ladies Auxiliary; Knights of Peter Claver Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace Chapter No. 22; Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus; St. Joseph’s Parish Council; Southern University Alumni Jennings, Louisiana; James Ward Federal Credit Union Board of Directors; Louisiana Association of Educators; National Education Association; National Association of University Women; and sponsor of multiple school and community youth clubs and organizations. Lucille served as the organizer of the St. Joseph Catholic Church Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (Catechism) Program for multiple years.

Lucille is survived by son, Gerald Keith Matthews of The Woodlands, Texas; daughters, Anjanette (Jackie) Etienne, Camille (Calvin) Painter, and Denyse (Jaron) Thorne, all of Missouri City, Texas; Paul’s children, Ray Anthony (Myrna) Matthews of Pearland, Texas and Melvin James (Leila) Matthews of Houston, Texas; sisters, Luella Rivers of Monroe, La., Grace Farley of Pittsburgh, Texas, Yvonne Middleton of Tampa, Fla., Betty (Willie) Thrash of Dallas, Texas, and Audrey (Donald) Johnson of Milwaukee, Wis.; brothers, Lucius (Kathy) Johnson III of Roswell, Ga., and Daryl Keith  (Kim) Johnson of Chicago, Ill.; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Regina Matthews;  sister-in-law, Lemelda Carrier; brother-in-law, Lyness ‘Guy’ Matthews; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Dennis Matthews; one son, Gerard Paul Matthews; brother, Charles Leonard; parents, Eunice Camille and Lucius Johnson II.

Lucille was a lady in the truest sense of the word.  Lucille had a quiet but dignified demeanor.  She was an avid reader and loved working on crossword puzzles.  She exhibited patience beyond measure.  She will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.