Elaine Matthews

We love you - wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend.  You are superb.  Save a spot on the bench for each of us!
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 4th, 1pm in the Panguitch 2nd Ward LDS Building, 178 North 400 East in Panguitch.  There will be a viewing preceding the funeral from 11:30-12:30 and a viewing the evening before at the same location from 6-8pm.  Interment will be in the Panguitch City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Wesley Earl Chidester and Lee Ray Chidester and sister Diane Chidester.
Elaine is survived by her husband, 9 children, 32 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way).  She is also survived by brothers Leon (Irma) Chidester of Cedar City, Reed (Lynette) Chidester of American Fork, Richard (Susan) Chidester of Glenwood, Missouri, Dale (Debra) Chidester of Leoti, Kansas and Robbie (Nancy) Chidester of Highland, sister-in-law Kay (Wesley-deceased) Chidester of American Fork, Matthews family brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and many loved nieces and nephews.
As we sorrow at our loss, we are joyful that she is now free from the pains and trials of her physical body.  Elaine’s family would like to express deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of her friends, community members, medical providers and fellow patients that have cared for and assisted her in any way these past several years.  You are angels.
Elaine is a woman committed to her faith, family and friends.  She exemplifies staying the course and enduring well through all of the good and bad in life.  She is our example of kindness, generosity and acceptance of all.  Her door and heart were always open.  She truly is “one of a kind” and irreplaceable.
Verl and Elaine became the parents of nine children: Verlaine (David) Spencer  of Panguitch , Jeanette (Garland) Sawyer of Greenville, Lynea (Chad) Limb of Beaver, Laurel (Darin) Nikolaus of Bellevue, Nebraska, James (Tiffanie) Matthews of Cedar City, Christian (Melanie) Matthews of Richfield, Jennifer (Eric) Douglas of Panguitch, Benjamin (Ericka) Matthews of Enoch and Cassandra (Joshua) Talbot of Greenwich.  Elaine is the grandmother to 32 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.   Her family is her joy.  She has spent her life supporting her family in all of their various school, community and church activities.  Each child and grandchild felt special in her presence.  She is the master of turning simple traditions such as good bye waves, Easter egg hunts, turkey bellies, cookie houses and camping trips to Calf Creek and beyond into treasured memories that her posterity cherish.
Elaine has spent her life building families, communities, youth and friends.  She served as a 4H instructor, preschool teacher, PTA member, community orchestra member, singer in the Chantilly Ladies, mentor and cheerleader to countless people that were fortunate to cross her path and call her friend.  She cherished her friends.  You all know who you are because she always let you know you mattered to her.  Elaine worked in the school lunch program in the Panguitch schools.  She shared her special talents of sewing and cooking with whomever would accept.
Elaine is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She has faithfully served in the Relief Society, Young Women’s and Primary where her influence has blessed many.  Elaine holds her church membership and testimony of the restored gospel as precious.  She taught her family through example the importance of keeping covenants and staying true.
Elaine Chidester Matthews, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed from this life May 31, 2016, in Panguitch, Utah.  Elaine was born July 21, 1939, in Highland, Utah to James Earl and Thelma Esma Strasburg Chidester.  Elaine’s childhood was spent in the Highland area.  She graduated from American Fork High School in 1957.  Following high school, she studied at BYU.  On March 18, 1960, Elaine married Verl Baxter Matthews in the Salt Lake Temple. Their 56 years together took them to many corners of Utah.  The past 45 years they have called Panguitch home.