Velma Jean Chronister

Velma Jean Chronister slipped out of this life and into the next on the morning of Friday, June 20. She will be missed by those she left behind and welcomed by those who have preceded her on the journey to heaven.

Velma was born to Doris and Marion Gray on February 25, 1934, in Zillah, Washington. Her family moved to the Beaverton/Portland area during WWII and both Marion and Doris worked in the shipyards. They moved to Yakima after the war. Velma attended Yakima High School (Davis High School now) where she met William Keith Chronister, her future husband. Keith and Velma were married at First Presbyterian Church in Yakima on November 23, 1952. They lived in Yakima until 1967, when they moved to Cowiche.

Keith and Velma owned a cafeteria called “The Pantry” (where “The Olive Garden” is now located). People may remember a turkey cooking in the window on a rotisserie.

Velma later worked as a bookkeeper for Allan Brothers Fruit in Naches and then finished her work career with Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association.

Keith and Velma raised three strapping boys and did a pretty darn good job of it. They were also very involved with their church, Christian Life Center in Yakima.

Velma was preceded in death by both of her parents and Keith, her husband. She is survived by her sister Judy (Ray) and brother Doug (Karla) also by her three sons, Alan (Debbie), Craig (Trina) and Brad (Jane), and their families. She had ten grandchildren, Chad (Nikki), Casey (Jessica), Adam (Heather), Angela (Elliot), Brandon (Heather), Bryan (Krista), Joshua (Rhianna), Robert, Richie and Melissa. She also had nineteen great grandchildren.

Her sons are grateful for having a loving, devoted and resilient mom. We all go through seasons in life that can be challenging. She met her challenges with steadfastness and grit. We all learned several life lessons from her, some of which were by word of mouth, but others by watching her example.

Both Keith and Velma gave their lives to Christ in 1972. Both of them experienced healing and emotional and spiritual growth throughout the rest of their lives. Velma became a woman resembling the “Proverbs 31 woman” the last couple of decades of her life.

Mom, we do not say goodbye to you, but rather until we meet again in heaven. Amen!

A Graveside Service for Velma will be held July 11th from 11:00 to 12:00 at Terrace Heights Memorial Park for friends and family.