Donna Sue Watters Matkin-Smith
Donna Sue Watters Matkin-Smith, age 76, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Mercy Hospital. She was born May 12, 1939, in Fort Scott, the daughter of William D. "Pete" and Elsie Mae Sterling Watters. After high school, she graduated from Fort Scott Community College and attended Pittsburg State University for nursing. She married William "Bill" Lewis Matkin on July 24, 1955, in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death in March of 1987. She later married Samuel Smith on July 22, 1994. He also preceded her in death in September of 1994. Donna worked in the claims department for Western Insurance Company and American States, as well as time at Kress's and Walmart. She was a member of Rainbow for Girls and the Business and Professional Women's Club, serving as president. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott. She enjoyed reading, watching movies, traveling, garage sales, auctions, crafts, and cheering for the Kansas City Royals. She was a big Elvis fan. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and nieces.
Survivors include three sons, Kenny Matkin and wife Jolene, Fort Scott, Larry Matkin and wife Cheryl, Andover, Kan., and Brad Matkin and wife Tammy, Fort Scott; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and three nieces. Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Wilma Jean Dorsey Duncan; a sister-in-law, Janet Henne; auntie, Edith Sterling; and her beloved dog Sushi.
Rev. Dallas Peterson will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Donna Matkin-Smith Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the on-line guest book at cheneywitt.com.