Carol Lee Matthews

Carol Lee Young Matthews was born January 21st, 1953 to Frank B Young II and Margaret Irene Sherman Young in the bustling town of Wenatchee, Washington. With her father being in the United States Army, Carol and her siblings moved around and found themselves in the great state of Texas where she planted her roots.

The Young family moved to Texas City where she grew up and became the troublemaker amongst her siblings. While attending Texas City High, she became best friends with Donna Yoas and later married Donna's brother, Lynn Matthews, in 1971. They had their first son James in that same year. In 1973 their daughter, Kasandra, was born followed by their second son, Christopher, in 1976. By the year 1986 they had taken in 4 more children, Nicole, Scotty, Brett, and Brandy, and at times her niece Betsy all of whom she loved and adored as her own until her dying breath. She worked as an office manager for the Hart Creosote Company and became a prominent member of Roganville Baptist Church; where she later became the youth leader. Although she was a stern disciplinarian, she touched the lives of many children leaving a lasting impact on her community.

After her divorce in 1996, she moved to the little town of Big Sandy, Texas to be closer to her sister, Shelly, where she started her 20-year career at Strategic Fulfillment Group. In a quaint three bed, two bath home she lived with her daughter, Kasandra and her two boys Tim and Justin Sunday. Being a cornerstone in her children’s lives, James and Chris eventually moved in with their families as well. Under the same roof as her three children and, at the time, five grandchildren she was known to everyone as Nana. She continued to share the love of her savior and never failed to let anyone go a day without one of her famous scolding's. After her children moved into homes of their own, she made sure she was never too busy for her family. Nana spent countless hours traveling all over to attend sporting events, plays, band concerts, award ceremonies, and more. She eventually moved into her own house when her brother, Jim, moved in with her. Shortly after that, Chris and his wife built a studio apartment add-on to their home for her. Unfortunately, her health took a turn for the worse in 2012 when she fell twice in a short span, landing her in the hospital.

While in the hospital, she had what could only be described as a stroke and lost most of her memory. Nana moved back in with her daughter, Kasandra, where the family helped her read, write, and speak in full sentences again. During this time in her life, Nana took up many hobbies including crafts, reading, cooking, and gardening. Though her more strict side was still apparent, she grew into the soft and loving sister, mother, and Nana that we all know today. On the days when her grandkids would have friends over, Nana would always ensure that there was an abundance of food, sweet tea, and Gatorade ready for everyone. To say the least, the grocery bill skyrocketed at this point as kids were always showing up. Nana would also get up at crazy hours of the night just to make her grandsons food when they asked. Saying "Nana spoiled everyone" is an understatement.

In 2015 she moved to Tyler, Texas where they bought a house with better handicap accessibility specifically for Nana. Here you could always find her watching Hallmark movies on TV, because she “loved the happy endings." She would read on her laptop or watch pimple popping videos on YouTube while also having… you guessed it, Hallmark movies playing in the background. Though we miss her dearly, I know that TV has taken a sigh of relief after not being turned off for years. There were many late nights where we would all play games at the dining room table or sit around in the living room telling stories of her past that she didn’t quite remember, and some she even refused to believe. These were her favorite times.

Shortly after moving into her new home in 2025, Nana fell ill and found herself in and out of the hospital due to multiple health issues. While battling sickness, she became weak and unable to get out of bed which led to more and more problems. After exhausting all options of rehab and health care, her mind slowly started slipping away. Nana was then put into hospice to relieve the pain she was in and provide comfort. Nana passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on May 20th, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Margaret, her sister, Judy, and her son, Christopher. She is survived by her sister, Shelly, husband Bill, and her brother Jim and wife Donna; her children James and wife Connie, and Kasandra and husband Tom; her grandchildren Tim and wife Jessica, Jeramey and wife Alleya, Justin and wife Kali, Ryan, Shawn and wife Brittany, and Marshall and wife Blaire; bonus grandchildren Kaylan and husband Eliu, Valanie, Shaun and wife Anni, JT and wife Sarah and her many great-grandchildren.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life that will be held at her home- 16401 County Road 1146, Tyler, TX. 75704 on May 31, 2025, at 1pm. We will have brisket, potatoes salad  and baked beans, but please feel free to bring a dish to share. A second memorial service will be held at Roganville Baptist Church on June 14th, 2025, at 10am. Following this, there will be a graveside service at Friendship Cemetery. The family asks that you donate to Roganville Baptist Church or Hospice of East Texas in lieu of flowers or plants as she would rather us give back to others than invest in worldly objects. 

Thank you all, and God bless.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” -John 14:1-4