Valera Bernice Hamilton Echols

ECHOLS: Valera.. July 20, 1917 – October 18, 2012. Valera “Val” Bernice Hamilton Echols, aged 95 years, went home to the Lord from her residence in Kelowna, BC Canada. She was predeceased by her husband, Woodrow Hall Echols in 1999, and survived by two daughters, Jenelle Echols Mitchell (John) of Winfield, British Columbia and Tinka Echols Levvis of Livingston, TX (son-in-law Richard Levvis preceded her in death). Valera was a graduate of Barstow High School. She and Woody were married June 4, 1938. They bought several farms around Barstow and lived there until 1956, when the family moved to Auburn, Washington. In 1959 Val and Woody returned to Texas as owners of the Pecos Travelodge and spent many years operating motels throughout the Western States. After their retirement from the motel business, she and her husband lived in Midland from 1973 to 2001 when she began to live near her daughters, even visiting in Canada when she was 90. During their years in Midland, Val and Woody were faithful members of Grace Presbyterian Church. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren: John Mitchell, Renel Mitchell and Lance Anderson and 7 great grandchildren. Other family members include her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Faye and Laddie Long of Midland, Texas and 2 nieces, Sally Sipes of Midland and Fran Krausman of Northridge, CA. She will be interred beside her husband at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland later in the year. No memorial gifts are necessary. However, you may leave messages of remembrance by visiting www.mem.com , click on stories and type in Valera Echols. Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, B.C. 250-762-2299