Velma Eleanora (Chapman) Stevens

Velma Eleanora (Chapman) Stevens went to her Heavenly home on January 4, 2016 at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima. She was born in Courtland, Kansas on September 16, 1914 to Samuel and Elsie (Birch) Chapman. Her family moved to Naches when she was 7 years old. She attended Schools in Naches and graduated from Naches High School in 1931, where she excelled in basketball. She married Ralph "Steve" Stevens in 1935 and they purchased property in Tieton, WA in 1939, where they lived until 2000, when they "moved to town."

Velma worked at the grocery store in Naches for several years and also packed apples in the Tieton area. She was a member of Tieton Presbyterian Church and American Legion Women's Auxiliary.

Velma was loving, dedicated, practical and hard working. She enjoyed helping others and cherished her role as a servant of God. She loved ranch life and was especially fond of her horses. She was a member of the Highland Saddle Club and also a member of their bowling team for many years. Velma was a blessing to all, loved and adored by her family.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 67 years, her sisters, Jessie Chapman Parten and Rachel Chapman McKee. She is survived by her sons, Bob (Cathy) Stevens of Prosser and Bill (Sandy) Stevens of Bend, OR; grandchildren Todd (Mari) Stevens of Sammamish, Chad (Marcie) Stevens of CleElum, Mandy (Evan) Wilson of Portland, OR and Katie (Joe) Simon of Austin, TX; great-grandchildren, Cole and Carson Stevens, Tess Wilson and Reed Stevens; nieces, Helen Carlson of Yakima, Sharon (Lane) Nicklin of Selah and Janis (Fred) Lapasin of Seattle; grand-niece, Rachelle (Matt) Skeen of Selah, and grand-nephews, Eric (Dyanna Montelongo) Nicklin of Yakima and Rodney (Gail) Lapasin of Seattle; great grand-niece, Maddy Skeen and great grand-nephews, Jay and Sam Skeen, all of Selah.

Visitation will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be at Keith and Keith (Yakima Ave) on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 12:00 noon, with private family interment following.

Memorials may be sent to Tieton Presbyterian Church's Women's Association in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home.

To share a memory of Velma, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.