Nelda Watkins Gephart, obituary

Nelda Watkins Gephart, 91, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away on April 9, 2016, at home with her family.

Nelda was born in Lehi, Arizona, on January 12, 1925.  She graduated from Mesa High School in 1943, after which she began working at Williams Air Force Base in Mesa.

Nelda married Jean Rood Gephart on September 19, 1947 in Globe, Arizona.  They built their life together in Chandler, where they were happily married for 63 years until Jean's passing in June 2011.

Nelda worked in the Chandler Public School system as a cafeteria manager at Galveston Elementary School. She loved children and faithfully served in many church callings, mainly in Primary and Relief Society.  She was known as a dedicated and loving visiting teacher.

Nelda was an avid crocheter and loved to create gifts for friends, family, and even strangers.  She enjoyed traveling around North America with her husband, visiting all 50 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.  Nelda spent her life in service to others and was beloved by her family, friends, neighbors, and church family.

Nelda is survived by her children, Robert Dale (Rebeca), Linda Jeanne Castillo (Merril), and John David; eight grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Nelda is preceded in death by her husband, Jean Rood Gephart; son-in-law Merril Allan Castillo; daughter-in-law Vicki Sue DeWitt Gephart; parents, Henry Cobb Watkins and Hester Caroline "Caddie" Rogers Watkins; and siblings Vera, Alice, Willis Archie, Henry Carl, Alton Rogers, Inez, Ivan Rogers, John Hatch, Norene, and Leland Dee.

Visitation will be 8:30 am, April 14, 2016 at the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ray Second Ward, 1115 East Ray Road, Chandler, Arizona.  Funeral services will follow at 10am.  Interment will take place at the Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona.  Funeral arrangements are being provided by Bunker Family Funerals.