Claire Elaine Mathis, 79, passed away Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Visitation: 6 – 8pm Wednesday, June 21 at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Graveside Service: 10am Thursday, June 22 at China Spring Cemetery
Claire was born Claire Elaine Rinehart March 9, 1944 in Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the third child of Claire Rinehart and Lillian Hill Rinehart. They lived in Chester, Pennsylvania from 1944 to 1948 when they moved to Bellmead, Texas and later to China Spring, Texas.
Claire graduated from China Spring H.S. in 1962. Claire worked in the Banking Industries for over 20 years, she retired from the China Spring Independent School District Administration.
In July of 1962 Claire met Kenneth and began dating, they were married shortly thereafter August 17, 1963. Two short years later they started a family with the first son Terry being born, two years and one day later the second son made his appearance and Brian came into the family. They took a little time to add the third son, three years and roughly 6 months later here comes Shawn into the picture and the family was complete. Last year Claire and Kenneth celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
Claire was very active in the Tejas Travelers. She devoted many hours to the traveling groups with camping and game nights and was always known for being ready with a helping hand and her ready smiles. They enjoyed traveling and especially over New Mexico and Arizona. They chased the grand kids and with all their sporting events as much as they could, they very seldom missed an event, often leaving one and heading straight to another.
Claire was preceded in death by her father, Claire Rinehart; mother, Lillian Hill Rinehart Shaw; stepfather, Ken Shaw; brother, Jim Rinehart and sister, Irene Rinehart Havlick.
Claire is survived by her husband, Kenneth Wayne Mathis; children, Terry and wife Susan, Brian and wife Denise, Shawn and wife Karla; sister-in-law, Cathy Rinehart; 12 grandchildren; Cassidy and Landon Diserens, Cayla and Dylan Buff, Blake and Callie Mathis, Robert Mathis, Brayden Mathis, Brooke Mathis and fiancée Austin Mathews, and Collin Mathis; 6 great-grandchildren, Skylar Foster, Raylen Diserens, Easton Buff, Waylen Diserens, Brooklynn Mathis and Tarek Buff and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at ‘The Atrium of Bellmead’ and the ‘Compass Hospice’ your support and compassion was greatly appreciated during our time of need.
Also a special thank you to Bonnie Miller and family ‘Claire’s roommate’ at the Atrium, for your constant support and companionship.
Place of Service: China Spring Cemetery , 15654 Old China Spring Rd,; China Spring, TX 76633
Print Obituary & Condolences
My heart goes out to all of you. Ken and Claire always made me feel welcome. She will be greatly missed by many people. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers!
I am so sorry for your loss. I know it hurts. Your family will be in my prayers
Shawn and family, so sorry for your loss. Comforting prayers for the family.
Sending sincere condolences to the Mathis family.
Shawn and family so sorry for your loss. Comforting prayers for you all.
My heart goes out to my extended family . Claire was one of my very good friends. Claire was a great companion to her husband for many years . She loved her sons and their wives. Especially her grand kids.
She will be missed by all her friends. We will Miss her lovely smile. I KNOW she is with her mom , Dad, Jimmy, and Irene. Love you Claire, you will be missed,
Kenneth and Family: So very sorry to hear of Claire’s passing. She was a very sweet woman and I enjoyed knowing her back when we were all young couples raising our kids! I haven’t been a Texas residents for 30 years so I have lost contact with most everyone we used to socialize together with on weekends. God be with you as you adjust to your new phase of life.
So sorry for the loss of this sweet lady. Our prayers are with your family. – Peggy Walker
Prayers
Prayers for your family
Loved working with Claire at CSISD🥰
She always has a great story to tell about her family♥️ My thoughts and prayers are with all of you🙏
Shawn & Karla,
So very sorry for your loss.
Robin and Ronny
So sorry to hear of Claire’s passing. I always loved her smiling face when my girls were in school.
She was just always a joy to be around. My prayers are with you all. May God bring you peace and comfort.
I will miss my sweet Claire so very much. She was like a second mother to me. Sending my love to Kenneth, Terry, Brian, and Shawn.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Kenneth and the entire family. Claire was a “very special Christian lady.” We pray that God, through the Holy Spirit, provide each of you comfort and strength during this time. May you find peace in Christ!
Blessings in Christ,
James & Dian Bethany and
Yvonne Bethany Wright
Sincere condolences to the Mathis family.
Ed and Sherry
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deepest Sympathies,
Rhonda Rostockyj
Ken and family, so very sorry for your loss of Claire. She and I met while attending Durham Business School. May you be surrounded by love and prayers in the days ahead.
Kenneth,
I am very sorry to hear about Claire. She will be missed. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
With the Deepest Sympathy,
Ray Roberts
To the Mathis family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with the family.
Ken and family, our prayers are with you! Claire always had a smile for everyone, was fun to be around her and enjoyed our camping trips together. May God be with you all!
Sorry to hear of Claire’s passing Know my prayers are with you and family
Kenneth and your lovely family, all our prayers and thoughts are with you at your time of sadness. Let your memories help you all through this time.
Vince And Harriett Rostockyj
Kenneth and your precious family
All of our prayers and thoughts are
with you in your time of sorrow.
Let your memories help you through
this time of grief.
Vince and Harriett Rostockyj
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Claire. She was always such a sweet lady and so proud of her kids and grandkids – and rightly so. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.