Mattie Finley Gondran

On October 31, 2024, at the age of 90, Mattie Hall Finley Gondran, passed from this earthly life. While we feel sadness in our loss, we also rejoice knowing she is now with her Lord and Savior.

Mattie was born in Kopperl, Texas to Jim and Willie Mae Hall on July 1, 1934. Mattie completed her high school requirements and graduated from Kopperl High School in 1951 and then continued her studies at Texas Wesleyan University and graduated from North Texas State in 1954 with a teaching degree in Home Economics. Mattie began teaching Junior High school in Carthage, Texas. In 1956 Mattie married Jack Finley, son of Maynard and Vivian Finley. They made their home in Houston and later in Gladewater, Texas where they lived until Jack’s death in 1989. Together, they loved and raised their three children, Jay, Terri and David while fostering children that needed short-term care. They were very involved in serving the community and their church. 

 In 1994 Mattie married Gerald (Jerry) Gondran. She and Jerry enjoyed traveling together and some of her favorite destinations were to Israel, Alaska and the National Parks, Yellowstone, Zion, Glacier, and Grand Canyon. Mattie and Jerry also enjoyed spending time with grandchildren and fishing together. 

Mattie enjoyed an active life and found joy in teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and volunteering at every opportunity in church and with the hospital auxiliary. She loved to work in her garden, paint with oils and enjoyed reading. She was a talented seamstress, cook, and artist. She was known by everyone for her pie-crust and pies. She loved making sugar cookies with her Grandchildren and had every cookie cutter possible. She took great pleasure in whooping anyone she could in 42 Dominoes and Bridge - but always had a kind word for everyone she played against. That same competitive spirt was also focused on the Texas Rangers baseball team as she watched every game she could and was always determined that “this would be their year.” Mattie loved the beauty of a garden or a flower and took time to appreciate what God had created for her to enjoy. 

Mattie is survived by her daughter Terri Sherman (married to Mark), her son David Finley (married to Mandy), her daughter-in-law Barbara Finley, son Paul Gondran (married to Sue Ellen), daughter Suzanne Gondran and son Christopher Gondran. Mattie is also survived by her sweet sister, Jimmie (married to Jerry Brinke) and her devoted brother James Hall (married to Judy). 

Always known as Grandmother to her grandchildren, she deeply loved them all; Jack Sherman (married to Haley), Hannah Murray (married to Nathan), Mattie Finley, Samuel Finley, Michael Gondran, Neal Gondran (married to Erica), Amy Gondran, Ellie Gondran, Jessie Gondran and her great grandchildren, Johnny and Violet Gondran. 

Mattie was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Willie Mae Hall, her husband and father of her children Jack Finley, her son Jay, and her husband Jerry Gondran.

Mattie was known as a woman who loved her Lord and loved her family. She was creative, compassionate, beautiful on the inside and out and will be missed by all. 

 In Memory of Mattie, the family welcomes memorial contributions to her church, Redeemer Lutheran Church of Austin Texas.

 Memorial Services:

 Monday, November 11 at 11:00 am – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Austin Texas and

 Tuesday November 12 at 11:00 am – First United Methodist Church, Gladewater Texas