Eva Mae Matthews

Eva Mae Matthews, 89, passed away on June 15, 2023 at Pioneer Health Care Center with her loving family by her side. She was born on May 13, 1934 in La Junta to Oral F. & Gladys (Reeves) McLain. Eva was married to Edward Matthews; he preceded her in death on September 29, 1985.

First and foremost Eva was a mother and homemaker. She was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the John Fisher Hose Co. - La Junta Rural Fire Protection District for many years.

Eva, Ed and Eva’s mother, Gladys McLain, worked in the 1960’s and 1970’s cleaning, fixing & dressing dolls and repairing toys to be given to Associated Charities to help make Christmas brighter for area children.

Eva and Ed together with several other area parents of developmentally delayed children formed a “play group” for their children to interact on Saturday mornings out at the air base. From that, the group grew and from working together bought the old Boy Scout house and this was the first school for the children – ARKVA School. As other parents joined in; the group grew. With the help from Elizabeth Guyton, the old south school was bought and Girch Center began. The current Inspiration Field is the result of the parent’s early efforts.

Eva loved her family, her dolls and her dogs.

Eva is survived by her children, Michael (Diana) Anglin of Colorado City, CO, Marvin Miller of Rocky Ford, CO, and Doris (Rick) Gumke of La Junta; grandchildren, Jason (Kacie) Anglin, Nathan (Alicia) Gumke, Carrie (Billy) Zumwalt, Phillip (Megan Johnson) Anglin, and Sarah Gumke; great-grandchildren, Taylor Gumke, Connor Anglin, Sammie Zumwalt, Markus Anglin, Casey & Isaac Zumwalt, Emily Zumwalt, and Jason Zumwalt; sister-in-law, Dortha McLain; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Edward Matthews, siblings, Doris Marie Anway, Willis Anway, Doreen Cummins, and Melvin McLain.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with Rev. Karen Burnham of Sangre de Cristo Hospice officiating.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.