Velda Raye Stephens

Velda Raye Stephens, age 86 of Snyder, Texas, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 at Midland Memorial Hospital with her daughter Stephanie Radin by her side.

Services for Velda Stephens will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 starting with visitation at 10 AM at Colonial Hill Baptist Church. After the viewing, the funeral service will begin at the church at 11AM with Dr. Tommy Caulwell officiating. The interment will follow at Hillside Memorial Gardens under the direction of the Miller Family Funeral Home. Afterwards, there will be a luncheon at the church.

Mrs. Stephens was born on Nov 20, 1936 in Abilene, Texas to Bernard and Opal Crow. She grew up in Eula, attended Bayou Elementary, Denton Valleyand graduated from Cross Plains High School in 1955. Velda was a great basketball player in high school, playing 4 years along with her twin sister Thelda.

Velda married Donald Stephens on June 10, 1955 at Rowden Baptist Church in Rowden, Texas. They moved to Snyder, Texas where they began their life together. Velda gave birth to two daughters: Debbie in 1956 and Stephanie in 1958. She and her husband raised their daughters in Snyder except for a few years when they lived in Port Lavaca and Victoria when the girls were in elementary and middle school. Velda worked at West Texas State Bank for many years.

Mrs. Stephens was actively involved in many areas of the church. She assisted Don as director of youth and two adult departments. She also contributed to the baptism, bereavement, and social committee work. In particular she helped in the church kitchen serving many meals to many people for various occasions.

Velda loved cooking and hosted a large number of gatherings of immediate family, church family, and friends. At these gatherings, she enjoyed playing dominoes and card games. She enjoyed gardening and flower arrangements. She loved to take and collect photographs of family and relatives. She continued her interest in basketball her whole life as a fan of Texas Tech women basketball, the WNBA, and the Dallas Mavericks. She and Don traveled many places throughout the country. One of her favorite vacation spots was Branson, Missouri where she enjoyed the various shows.

Velda was known for her kind, loving smile and her giving heart. She lived a life that always sought to put the needs of others before her own. She had a heart for those without Christ in their life and witnessed to many of their need for salvation. She was incredibly firm in her beliefs. She enjoyed a very happy and healthy life until the last couple of years. She was a devoted wife to Don and after his passing, said on many occasions how much she missed him. She is now united with him in heaven – perhaps a cook and server at one of the heavenly banquets.

Survivors include:

2 sisters: Thelda Jefferies of San Antonio, TX; Pat Gibbs and husband Dale of Abilene, TX

2 daughters: Debbie Still and husband Randy of Sugarland, TX; Stephanie Radin and husband Dan of Austin, TX,

4 grandsons: Cody Still and wife Shelley, Missouri City, TX; Brandon Still, Sugarland, TX; Todd Radin and Evan Radin, Austin, TX

1 great grand daughter: Riley Still, Missouri City, TX.

She was proceeded in death by her parents and husband.

Family requests all memorials be made to Colonial Hill Baptist Church.