Velma Moffett Stewart

Velma Moffett Stewart, 78 died Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 11:30 A.M. in Lakeside, Arizona from a massive stroke suffered last Saturday. She was born in Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua Mexico on December 2, 1930. She is the daughter of Lorin William Moffett and Clessa May Walser Moffett. Leaving Mexico at an early age, Velma grew up mostly in Duncan Arizona, where she graduated from High School in 1948. On August 21, 1948 she was married (for 61 years) to Richard L. (Dick) Stewart who had been her steady date since she was a freshman. They were sealed as Husband and Wife for Time and all Eternity in the Mesa Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints March 24, 1950. Velma is a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served in many callings throughout her life. Notable among them were her service for four years as Ward Relief Society President and eight years as Stake Relief Society President in Anchorage Alaska and two years serving with her husband on a building mission at Quilpue Chile. Her life was devoted to excelling as a wife, mother, homemaker, and friend. Their children are Patricia D. (Doug) Laeve, Marilyn R. (Russ) Cottam, Richard L. (Pam) Stewart, and Ronald W. (Susan) Stewart; 14 grandchildren: Diane Laeve, Brooke Laeve, Tara (Tim) Williams, Luke (Karen) Cottam, Jacob Cottam, Jesse Cottam, Rachel Cottom, Rebekah Cottam, Lorin Stewart, Aja Stewart, Ian Stewart, Byrn Stewart, Rorie Stewart, Daklota Stewart; 3 great-grandchildren; Hailey Cunningham, Brayden Laeve, Logan Stewart. Velma was one of seven sisters, one brother and one step-sister. Those who preceded her in death were Mae Johnson, Billie Davidson, Lorin Moffett and Martha Northfield. Those remaining are Clessa Lunt, Ida Birtcher, Lariene Treat and Effie Lehner. During her eventful adult life she has lived in Duncan, Arizona, Clifton, Arizona, Morenci Arizona, Carlsbad, New Mexico, Provo Utah, Phoenix, Arizona, Tacna Peru, Toquepala Peru, Quilpue, Chile, Glendale, Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, Anchorage Alaska and Lakeside, Arizona. A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM Friday August 28, 2009 at the Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel 320 N. 9th Street, Show Low, Arizona. Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. at the Lakeside Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1520 Church Lane, Lakeside, Arizona with a viewing 1 hour prior to the services. Interment will be at the Lakeside Cemetery