Matalea Marie Todd Stevens, age 83, passed away peacefully at Autumn Leaves of Grapevine, Texas on Saturday, August 17, 2013. She was born March 3, 1930 in Moore, Oklahoma and was a lifelong resident of Orange, Texas prior to moving to Grapevine, TX in 2006 to allow her son to help in her care.

She was a member of St. John’s Methodist Church in West Orange, TX for many years. She was passionate about gardening and had an innate ability to grow anything. She was skilled in knitting and sewing, often giving the finished project to loved ones. She was known for her compassionate and loving ways and was a mother to many beyond her own children, listening and offering advice.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis O. Stevens Jr., her parents, sisters Earldean Merritt and Vendelene Muns, and great grandchild Cody Stevens. Those who will cherish her memory are her children, Ellis O. Stevens III (Buddy) and wife Ella of Orange, TX, Jann Stevens of Mandeville, LA and Paul Stevens and wife Denise of Colleyville, TX; her grandchildren Jason, Jody, Julie, Adam and Carolyn Stevens and her great grandchildren Caleb, Carly, Sara, Hannah, Rylan and Ethan. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Services will be held Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, TX. Pastor Randy Branch of Wesley United Methodist Church of Orange will be officiating. Visitation with family and friends will be from 9:00 am - 11:00 am, followed by Funeral services. Graveside services will follow immediately at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be Scott Stevens, Paul Stevens, Adam Stevens, Jason Stevens, Jody Stevens, and Mike Reid.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the devoted staff at Autumn Leaves of Grapevine for the loving care they showed their Mother through this difficult journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Matalea may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.