Mattie M. Head Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mattie Marie Head was born on October 1, 1931 on her family’s farm in the Carroll County township of Osage, Arkansas. She was the youngest daughter of the late Robert L. and Nerva L. Collins, adored older sister to twin brothers, and dearest little sister to eight elder siblings. She enjoyed life on the farm, with fond memories of helping her mother and playing with her brothers and sisters. Mattie always thought of Arkansas as home, which echoed in her unmistakable accent, charming everyone this side of the Mississippi. 84 years young, Mattie peacefully left us on February 7, 2016 in the care of Sarah House in Santa Barbara, CA. Mattie found her lifelong love in the eyes of Elmer Eudell Head, also of Arkansas. The engaged couple moved their wedding date up when Eudell was drafted into the Korean War. In a private ceremony, she wore a navy pinstripe dress suit when Eudell took her hand in marriage on August 27, 1950. After Eudell returned from Korea, the young couple moved to California in 1952, following Mattie’s brothers’ for adventures in the oil fields. In 1953, they welcomed their eldest daughter Debbra in Colusa, CA. Four years later, Michael was born in Willows, CA. In Fernley, NV their family was complete with the birth of their youngest son, Mark, in 1961. The Heads spent several years in Lodi, CA, where Mattie enjoyed picnics with surrounding relatives in Micke Grove Park. In 1969 they moved to their forever home of Carpinteria, CA. The Heads would drive back to Arkansas in the summer to visit the Collins and Head farms respectively. Mattie and Eudell loved simple things, and family was all they needed in order to be happy. A plethora of family photos decorated their Carpinteria home, and Mattie loved to cook for everyone on the holidays, often with vegetables grown from Eudell’s garden. Her children can still taste their favorite chicken and dumplings, and no barbeque was complete without her homemade sauce, best smothered over tri-tip and whipped up with care. Every summer she lovingly made an abundance of homemade jelly from their backyard plum tree ripened by the California sun. She loved reading romance novels, watching her soaps, and listening to Elvis Presley. She was incredibly proud to watch her grandchildren complete their college education. Her grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy, and it tickled her to spoil them. Mattie is survived by her older sisters Goldie Buell and Edna Layton, and younger brother Faye Collins. She is also survived by her children; Debbra Fortunato, Michael Head, Mark Head, and her grandchildren; Amy Fortunato, Christopher Head, Karen Fortunato, and Aria Head. On February 12, 2016 at 11:30am, Mattie will be laid to rest beside her beloved Eudell at the Carpinteria Cemetery, 1501 Cravens Lane, Carpinteria, CA 93013. The family welcomes flowers, or in lieu of flowers, a donation made to Sarah House in Mattie’s honor.

Mattie M. Head

October 1, 1931 - February 7, 2016