Wilma Lorene Mathis

Wilma Lorene Buchner Mathis, born June 9, 1932, died January 29, 2022, at age 89. Lorene is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, James (Jim) Warner Mathis, her parents William J. (Bill) Buchner and Mary Cleo Buchner, and her brother Kelly Wayne Buchner. Lorene is survived by her daughters Sally Louise Mathis Ramsay and husband Ian Ramsay and Elizabeth Anne Mathis Matz, along with her precious grandchildren Travis McKinzie Ramsay and Emily Anne Matz. She is also survived by numerous beloved family members and treasured friends.

Lorene was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma and lived there until 1942 when she and her family moved to Gainesville, TX. She graduated from Gainesville High School in 1949 and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1953, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. While at UT, she was a member of Beta Beta Alpha, business fraternity.

After graduation, Lorene moved to Dallas and began working for Magnolia Oil Company, which later became Mobil. In 1954, Lorene moved back to Gainesville and went to work for Standard of Texas Oil Company where she met the man of her dreams, Jim Mathis. Together, they moved with their family to various locations in Texas, California and Louisiana as well as traveling the world with Jim’s final assignment with Chevron Oil Company. Lorene and Jim retired to Horseshoe Bay, TX in 1989 from Chevron’s corporate headquarters in San Francisco, CA. Lorene and Jim enjoyed traveling and playing bridge.

Lorene was actively engaged in church and politics no matter where she and her family lived at the time. Lorene enjoyed her volunteer work and was extremely proud of being an American. She was a teacher and mentor and loved sharing her passion of reading with others.

Lorene was the consummate hostess and loved to entertain. She shared that love and passion with her daughters. A robust and skillful organizer, Lorene could plan and execute flawless dinner parties, children’s birthday festivities and large-scale events with ease and flair. Lorene was known to light up a room with her Southern charm and wonderful smile.

Her greatest joy however, was her two grandchildren, whom she stayed actively engaged in their lives, and living out retirement years at the lake.

A funeral service will be held Friday, February 4, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Barry Hughes officiating.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org or the American Heart Association at www.heart.org .