Denzel "Dee" Lorene Paulk Mathews

Graveside Services for Denzel “Dee” Lorene Paulk Mathews, 95, of Ardmore, OK, will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Enoch Cemetery, Gilmer, TX. Arrangements are under the direction of McWhorter Funeral Home. Denzel was born on November 19, 1927, in Garber, OK, Garfield County, to Wilburn Edward Paulk and Effie Mae Herndon Paulk. She passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Medical City Plano, TX. Dee’s father spent most of his life following the oil boom towns in Oklahoma and Texas with some time spent in Illinois with factory work. His family, therefore, followed him from town to town. Some of her younger school years were spent in Illinois. However, she lived most of her life in Gilmer, TX, and Ardmore, OK with some time spent in Independence, MO. She graduated from Gilmer High School and married Paul Mathews in July of 1946. Throughout her career, she worked for 9 libraries, 5 genealogy centers, and 3 schools. She gained a reputation for locating “misplaced” people and was not only hired by private individuals, but also private detectives, lawyers, and once by Universal Studios for research. She fully retired in 2001 at the age of 74, moving at that time from Independence, MO back to Ardmore, OK to be closer to children and grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, writing, theater, genealogy work, and actively working on her callings within her church; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Wilburn and Effie Herndon Paulk; siblings, Peggy Mae Paulk, Everett Wayne Paulk, Billy Ray Paulk; grandchildren, Danny L. Hobbs, Jr., Penelope J. Kirby Interiano, and Aaron M. Reynolds; and great-grandson, Hunter L. Finch. Surviving family: Daughters, Madeline L. Kirby of Ardmore, OK, Midene Reynolds (Michael) of Hilltop Lakes, TX; Grandchildren, Raegon N. Martell (Mike), Andrea D. Sears (Seth), Andrew J. Reynolds (Nicole), Adam T. Reynolds (Malia); Great-grandchildren, Sophie and Laurel Martell, Annabel Prieb (John), Alden and Jude Sears, Christopher, Makayla Reynolds, Brian, Breanna, and Eliana Bass, Andrew Jr., Keenan, Aaron, Tommy Lee, Noel Reynolds, Raphael and Oscar Jr. Interiano; Great-Great-grandchildren, Oliver, Isabel Reynolds, Ivan and Luka Interiano, Ansley Prieb. One sister-in-law, Annette Williams Paulk, one brother-in-law, Jack Mathews (Delli), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to your local LDS genealogy centers, Heifer International, St. Jude’s, Boys Clubs of America, or your favorite charity. Pallbearers are Mike Martell, Lloyd Dodd, Melvin Dodd, George Dodd, Brandon Dodd, and Michael Reynolds. Honorary pallbearers are Lorin Mask, Donald Hensley, Paul Ray Shaw, Paul Ray Shaw Jr., Bart Austin, Hulen Moore, Jim Pousson, Steve Tefteller, Charles Tefteller, and Larry Tefteller. Please visit Dee’s online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Denzel "Dee" Lorene Paulk Mathews

November 19, 1927 - May 5, 2023