Mary Jo (Hullum) Matlock

Mary Jo Hullum Matlock, 93, of Wills Point, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by her family.

Born on February 11, 1932, in Wills Point, Texas, to John Albert and Carrie Mae Lea Hullum, she grew up on the family farm, where they initially raised cotton before transitioning to cattle. The farm instilled in her a deep love for nature, and she developed a passion for wildflowers, farm animals, and horseback riding—often outriding the cowboys in her youth.

A 1949 graduate of Wills Point High School, she went on to earn her degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1954, where she became a proud member of the Chi Omega sorority. Her Chi Omega sisters remained lifelong friends, offering one another unwavering support through the years.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree, Mary Jo taught elementary school in Corpus Christi, Austin, and Garland. She found great fulfillment working with children from diverse and challenging backgrounds, and her dedication to education left a lasting impact on countless students.

On March 30, 1957, she married her sweetheart, Gibb Blanks Matlock. The couple moved to Dallas in 1959, where they built a life and were blessed with four children.

Mary Jo was one of the very first docents at the Dallas Museum of Natural History, taking cases of small bird and mammal mounts to local schools and teaching the children about their local wildlife.

She was a lifetime member of the Dallas Agricultural Club, serving in leadership, and in 1996 became the first woman to be elected club president since the club’s founding in 1926. Mary Jo elevated the monthly lunch meetings by the quality of agricultural experts she recruited to speak.

 As one of the founding members of the Dallas Auxiliary Club, she dedicated herself to serving the community. She had a profound love for people, a passion for learning, a deep appreciation for travel, and a fondness for antique shops. Yet, her greatest joy came from her children and grandchildren.

A lifetime member of Russell Memorial United Methodist Church, her faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She took great comfort in knowing that she would one day be reunited with her beloved husband, Gibb, and her parents.

Along with her husband and parents, Mary Jo is preceded in death by her brothers David Earl Hullum, John Albert Hullum Jr., Billy Don Hullum, and her sister Monta Mae Grise.

She is survived by her older sister, Anita Ruth Hullum; her sons, Gibb Jr., Russell (wife, Kathy), and Brian (wife, Kim); her daughter, Amy Connel (husband, David); her grandchildren, Melissa Knutson (husband, Scott), Kaitlin King (husband, Shane), Carrie Mae, Garrett, Anna Grace, Jake, Julia, and Luke Matlock; and two great-grandsons, Kai and Koen Knutson.

Funeral services for Mary Jo Matlock will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Russell Memorial Methodist Church with Rev. David Cartwright officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, 6:00pm-8:00pm at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the building fund for Russell Memorial Methodist Church or the Salvation Army. Services will be live streamed and available to be viewed from the church website: www.rmmcwp.net

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