Willia Mae Matlock's Obituary
A precious one from us has gone,
a voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home
which never can be filled,
And after a lonely heartache,
and many a silent tear,
We’ll always have a beautiful memory
of one we loved so dear.
Willia Mae Matlock of Waterloo, Iowa departed this earthly life on October 23, 2025. She was born April 10, 1953 in Sparkman, Arkansas, a daughter to Rev. Wilson O. Rideout and Lessie Mae Rideout.
Willia Mae Matlock lived in Rockford, Illinois for 35 years before relocating her family to Waterloo, where she married Sammy L. Matlock on December 3rd, 1992. Willia loved her children, cooking and serving food out of her food truck “Willia’s Little Kitchen”. She retired after 20+ years with Target Store. Willia was deeply loved by all who knew her.
Willia leaves to cherish many loving memories, her devoted husband, Sammy; four sons, Nathaniel (Monica) Whitaker, Craig Whitaker, Charles Chambers, and Sammy (Jennifer) Matlock; one daughter, Shontel Matlock; 21 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three sisters, Patricia Caldwell, Priscilla (Jerry) Marshall, and Sherry (Steve) Barnes; three brothers, Robert (Mattie) Whitaker, Michael Rideout, and Rogers (Diane) Rideout; a special aunt, Vera Mae Craig; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
She was predeceased by her father, Rev. Wilson O. Rideout, and her sister, Delores Forte.
The Sanders Service
In Loving Memory of My Beautiful Mom
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be,
so He put His arms around you
and He whispered “Come to Me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you.
We watched you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard-working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He chose to take the best.
It’s lonesome here without you,
we miss you more each day.
Life doesn’t seem the same
since you have gone away.
When days are sad and lonely
and everything goes wrong,
We seem to hear you whisper,
“Cheer Up and Carry On.”
Each time we see your picture,
you seem to smile and say,
“Don’t cry, I’m in God’s hands,
we’ll meet again someday!”
What’s your fondest memory of Willia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Willia?
Share a story where Willia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Willia you’ll never forget.
How did Willia make you smile?
