Betsy Jean Paul Matthews passed away Oct 28, 2015 in Rexburg, Idaho. She was the 3rd child of Alice Gertrude Hobson and Robert Leon Paul, born June 11, 1926 in Ogden, Utah. A short time later, Betsy and her family relocated to Logan, Utah where her younger brother Robert (Bud) was born. She attended Logan High School and graduated in 1944.

Betsy loved to sing and performed as a member of the Paul Sisters, a singing trio comprised of Betsy and her two sisters, Roberta and Marjorie on local radio and also entertained local troops in the USO during WWII.

She worked in the Logan movie theaters where she met her future husband. Betsy married Thomas William Matthews on August 15, 1945 in the Logan Temple. After Tom completed a tour of duty in the Pacific during WWII, the couple moved to St. Anthony, Idaho where Tom accepted a teaching position at South Fremont High School and Betsy worked for a local physician (Dr. Fischer). Pursuing her love of singing, Betsy organized the Melodaires women's choir in St. Anthony and held their first meeting in her home. This choir, organized in the early 1950's, is still performing today.



In 1957, Tom accepted a teaching position at Ricks College and moved the family to Rexburg into a house that Tom built and where they resided for the rest of their lives. Betsy and Tom loved raising their children in their new home and filled their lives with music, family activities, and church and community service.


Betsy served as the President of the Pink Ladies, a volunteer group at Madison Memorial Hospital and started the lunch room and the library at the hospital. She served as President of the Rick's College Faculty Women's organization. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many positions including Relief Society President on the Ricks College campus. In her home ward she served in Scouting and in the Primary organization for many years; as a Primary chorister, Primary President, and a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency; as a faithful visiting teacher and, of course, as a member of the Ward Choir. Betsy also served in various Stake callings in the church as well.

In the mid 1970s, Betsy went to work for the Rick's College Bookstore and worked her way up to the position of senior buyer. She played a major role in expanding the retail success of the book store during her 20 years there.


Betsy was an advocate for the city of Rexburg and served the Chamber of Commerce as a Representative for local Senior Citizens. She also served as the Program & Activities Director for the Senior Citizen center for several years. Betsy and Tom planned to serve an LDS Mission together after they retired from Ricks College but Tom passed away September 26, 1990, just 2 years prior to his planned retirement. Betsy was determined to fulfill their goal and served a Family History mission in Salt Lake City in 1994.

Betsy loved travel and visited many countries of the world. She loved flowers and gardening and enjoyed beautifying the world around her.

While accompanying Tom on a business trip to Boston in the 1980s, Betsy attended a Boston Celtics basketball game and from that point on became one of NBA All-Star Larry Bird's biggest fans. She also loved watching John Stockton and the Utah Jazz, and other sports of all kinds. As a parent and grandparent of many former players and a coach, she was an avid Madison Bobcat fan, dressing in red for the all the games.

Following an illness in 2014, Betsy moved to the Homestead at Carriage Cove in Rexburg where she lived until her passing. The Matthews family extends our deepest gratitude to all of Mom's friends and neighbors who visited her, and the staff and administrators and all who contributed to our mother's care, during her time at Carriage Cove.

She is survived by her children; Thomas Paul (Carol)Matthews of Idaho Falls, Susan Ann (Norman S.) Erickson of Archer, Robert Daniel (Lorie Jo) Matthews of Rexburg, Mark Lester (Julie Lynne) Matthews of Bozeman, Montana, Alesia Jeanne (Mallory J.) Winters of Bedford, Wyoming; a sister-in-law LaRue Paul of Bountiful, Utah; 31 grandchildren and 70 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Thomas William Matthews; parents Alice and Robert L. Paul, sisters and brother and spouses Marjorie (Raymond) Payne, Roberta (Lyman) Rothwell, Robert H. Paul; and a granddaughter Jenifer Matthews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 2, at the Rexburg East Stake Center, 387 South 4th East. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, and Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the stake center prior to services. Interment will be in the Rexburg Cemetery.