LINDLEY JOY MATTHEWS
Lindley Joy Matthews, 32, of Norborne, MO, died at 6:20 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the Ray County Memorial Hospital in Richmond, MO.
Lindley Joy was born on May 7, 1979 to J. D. and Diane (Lindley) Matthews.
Survivors include her father J. D. Matthews of Norborne; two sisters Noelle Heiden and her husband Tim of Cheyenne, WY and Danika Linville and her husband Brice of Norborne; maternal grandparents Henry and Joline Lindley of Norborne; nephew Cody Cullen Wunder and nieces Lidia Joy Linville and Natalia Brynn Heiden.
She was preceded in death by her mother, both paternal grandparents and her uncle Gene Matthews.
Growing up, Lindley was like any other healthy child until she started having vision problems at a young age. Lindley's vision worsened as time went on and she was diagnosed with Batten Disease when she was 13 years old. Batten Disease eventually took over her body and she ended up totally blind, unable to eat, walk, speak etc. and she became completely bedridden. But the disease never took away her sweet, happy spirit. Lindley still managed to smile and communicate in her own way to her family, especially with her beautiful brown eyes. Our lives will be forever touched and be better for having known our sweet angel girl.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Batten Disease Support and Research Association, 166 Humphries Dr., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond. Burial will be in Richmond Memory Gardens Cemetery. Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences maybe left to the family at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com