Ester M. Matlock

Ester Marie Matlock, age 90 years, a resident of Marion, Illinois and a former resident of the Cypress community, went to be with her Lord on April 7, 2026, at 2 A.M. at Helia Healthcare of Energy. Ester passed away peacefully in her sleep. Ester was born October 27, 1935 in Missouri. She was the youngest of five children born to Solomon and Bess (Foster) Goldsberry. At the time of her birth, Ester weighed one and a half pounds. The attending midwife thought that Ester would not survive, but God had a plan for her. Her father, Solomon Goldsberry, wrapped her in warm coverings and placed her in a shoebox near a coal burning stove to keep her warm. Following the delivery, Ester’s mother, Bess, was quite ill and it became the responsibility of Ester’s father along with her sister, Oretha, who was 9 years old to provide care for her. Additionally, Ester had another sister, Pauline, along with 2 brothers, Charles Boaz and Curtis Wayne Goldsberry. Ester had a happy childhood and was especially close to her father. She was a graduate of Ullin High School. Ester planned to attend Southern Illinois University to pursue a career as a teacher. This all changed, however, when she met the love of her life, Solomon Matlock. Ester and Solomon were united in marriage on June 4, 1955 in Ullin, Illinois. To this union, 5 children were born: Pamela, Peggy, John, Solomon, and Ronald. Ester always said she lived an adventurous life. Soon after she and Solomon married they moved to the State of Maine. During Solomon’s military career, the family moved many times and lived in many different places, including Guam. At the encouragement of her husband, Solomon, Ester attended Shawnee Community College in Ullin and received her training as a certified nurse’s aid (C.N.A.). Ester worked for a number of years as a C.N.A. at Hillview Healthcare Center in Vienna, prior to her retirement from her working career. Ester’s husband of 45 years, Solomon, preceded her in death on July 8, 2000. She often said that he went to heaven to prepare their new home. So now, she has joined him. Ester will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her family. She is survived by: three children – John Matlock of Wewahitchka, Florida, Pam Barnes of Wapella, Illinois, and Peggy Francis of Marion, Illinois; four grandchildren – Aaron C. (Elizabeth Lyons) Barnes, Laura Marie (Taylor) Sickles, Amanda Lynne (Andrew) Babington, and Adam Michael (Nelda) Francis; 9 great grandchildren – A.J., Alexandria, and Avery Babington, Willow and Zeke Francis, Colt and Samuel Barnes, Vivian and Madeline Sickles; as well as a dear niece – Betty Yandell of Tunnel Hill, Illinois. In addition to her parents and husband, Ester was preceded in death by an infant son – Ronald Edward Matlock; a son – Solomon Matlock, Jr., a daughter-in-law – Lawessa Matlock; and her siblings – Oretha Miller, Pauline Junger, Charles Boaz and Curtis Wayne Goldsberry. Ester was an active and faithful member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was initiated May 12, 1966 in Haven Friendship Chapter in Kansas. In 1975, she affiliated with Cypress Chapter # 886 and served as Worthy Matron. In 1999, Cypress Chapter merged with Egyptian Chapter # 30 in Vienna. Ester continued to be an active member of the order and served for several years as the star point Esther. She also was a member of the former Valley # 108 White Shrine of Jerusalem. Ester was an avid reader of mystery novels and had collected the Nancy Drew series of novels since her childhood. Ester was a member of the Christian protestant faith. Services will be conducted Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at 11 A.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. The service will commence with Eastern Star rites accorded by Egyptian Chapter # 30 Order of the Eastern Star. A funeral ceremony will immediately follow. Pastor Alan Milligan will officiate. Interment will be in the Masonic Cemetery at Olmsted, Illinois. Visitation will be held Friday morning, April 10, 2026, from 10 A.M. until the service hour at 11 A.M. Memorials may be made to Eastern Star Home (Treat Fund), P.O. Box 317, Macon, Illinois 62544 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave. St. Louis, Missouri 63110.

Ester M. Matlock

October 27, 1935 - April 7, 2026