Gladys Barnes

Gladys Clarice Vallow Mathieu Barnes

Born March 6, 1922, to Andrew Vallow and Lucille Romero in Port Arthur, TX. She passed away July 26, 2022, after a short illness at Doctor’s Regional Medical Center.

She worked as a carhop in Port Arthur where she met Edward Joseph Mathieu. They fell in love and married. She then moved to Corpus Christi, TX with him. She was blessed to raise two sons, James Dean Mathieu, and Robert Kenneth Mathieu. She was an avid swimmer. She taught swimming lessons to all the children at the Knights of Columbus pool. She also taught survival swimming to the Sailors at NAS CC prior to and during WWII. She participated in the local water ballet and even performed with Esther Williams locally along with her best friend in all the world, Helen Williams.

After Eddie passed away, she met and married Vernon E (Barney) Barnes. They moved to Houston, TX. They were able to travel around the country and she worked at a daycare center in Houston for many years.  She loved taking care of children. She had 2 beloved dogs, Sugar the small poodle and Gretchen the full-sized long-haired dachshund. She then worked as a demonstrator in grocery stores and eventually became the Home Manager for the Jones family whom she loved dearly. She sewed clothes for all her nieces, nephews, grandchildren and all the other children in her life. She loved to find treasures in what others would toss out and loved finding a bargain at garage sales. She moved back to Corpus Christi after Barney passed away and reconnected with old friends and met many new ones. She continued to swim and participate in exercise classes at the Senior center.  She would go to the dances at Robstown Community Hall regularly. She also met Tom Tatum. They had a wonderful life together. They were part of the “Wild Bunch” who were lucky enough to win the Texas lottery! She and Tom traveled and danced until his passing. Gladys loved helping others. She crocheted head bands and hats and scarves which she either sold at local craft shows or gave away to anyone she wanted. She took in stray animals and loved life.  She will be dearly missed by all.

She was pre-deceased by her parents and all her brothers and sisters, Edward Joseph Mathieu (husband), Robert Kenneth Mathieu (son), James Dean Mathieu (son), Vernon E (Barney) Barnes (husband2), Tom Tatum (S.O.), Sean Edward Mathieu (grandson).

She is survived by Janet Mathieu (DIL), Robert (Heather) Mathieu & Kellie Mathieu (grandchildren), Mitchell Mathieu (great grandson), Bill (Priscilla) Barnes (stepson) and their children, many, many nieces, and nephews, her bestest friend in the whole world, Helen Williams and many, many other friends who have been a part of her life for so long and helped her dance as much as she could!

Special thanks to Nurses on Wheels Hospice, the Imhoff families, Betty Maynard and all the ICU nursing staff at Doctors Reginal Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

Memorial service will be Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Sawyer George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78410. Reception to follow at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 13026 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78410.