Lena Campbell Mathis Endowed Scholarship

Lena Campbell Mathis was born on labor Day, September 2, 1917. to Stephen Ben Allan Campbell and Georgia Harrington Campbell. She began at Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville. Texas under the presidency of Harry F. Estill. At the lime there were only 800 students enrolled in the college. Upon the advice of the Dean of Students, Lena chose the major of home economics. completing her degree in 1938. While a/lending Sam Houston State Teachers College, Lena met Glenn Forrest Mathis, Sr. Glenn worked at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville, Texas. When World War II broke out. Lena and Glenn married. Lena began her teaching career at Klein High School in Harris County. teaching homemaking. In 1960 Lena returned to Sam Houston State Teachers College to obtain a Master of Education degree. During this time she continued to teach in Madisonville, eventually serving as the school counselor, the position from which she retired. Lena was most recognized in the Madisonville community as a Bible scholar and for her dedicated years of teaching Sunday school at the Methodist Church Until her death she continued to volunteer, teaching Bible study to the residents at The House of Hope, a life recovery center in Madisonville. Lena often stated that she was thankful to God just to be alive each day and continue at what she loved most teaching others about the Bible. Beloved equally by students, colleagues. Friends. and anyone who crossed her path. Mrs. Lena Mathis went to be with her precious lord, on June 26, 2012, at the age of 95. Prior to her death, Mrs. Mathis provided for an estate gift to Sam Houston Stale University so that her love and legacy of teaching would remain alive in future generations of students .