Eula Zelma Stevens Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Eula Zelma Stevens died Jan. 9, 2014, in Vacaville. Zelma was born Sept. 30, 1911, near Seminole, Okla. to Marion and Callie Eller Trapp. Her family relocated to Orland, Calif. in the late 1920s, where she met and married her first husband, Chester Snodgrass, with whom she had one son. With her husband away with the U.S. Army in the European theater during World War II, she went to work at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Her husband was killed in France in 1944. Some years later, still at Mare Island, she met her second husband, Baxter C. Stevens, when his ship came in for repairs. They married and their blended family was sent to Japan during the Korean War. In Japan, Zelma began her study of art, first at the Bijitsuka Art School, instructed by Ukai Hashimoto. She also studied the art of flower arranging and other aspects of Asian art. She continued her studies at Rick’s Art School in Idaho and the Channel Artists’ Studio in Vallejo. Although her family moved frequently due to her husband’s naval career, she continued to study and improve her abilities in venues as widely varied as San Diego, Calif. and Charleston, S.C.. Her work was included in many juried group shows; she won many awards throughout the years. She exhibited at the Tokyo Museum in Japan; the Swan Gallery, Edmonds, Great Britain; the Gibbs Museum in South Carolina; and the California Museum of Art, among others. She was a member of the Depot Gallery group of artists in Yountville and was the Charter President of the Napa Chapter of the National League of Pen Women. She also designed benefit posters, wine labels, and promotional limited edition prints for carious California organizations. Upon her husband’s retirement from the Navy, the couple moved to Napa where they resided for many years and were members of the First Presbyterian Church. Later, after her husband’s death she moved to Emeritus at Vacaville, near her son’s family. Her family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Emeritus at Vacaville and Vitas Hospice. Zelma was preceded in death by her husband; her son Myles S. Stevens; her granddaughter Ashley Gesler; and her siblings. She is survived by her stepdaughter Nadine Booras; her daughter-in- law Jeannette Stevens; and her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Jan.17, 2014, at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home. Rev. Doctor Harriett Nelson will officiate.

Eula Zelma Stevens

September 30, 1911 - January 9, 2014

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Eula Zelma Stevens

September 30, 1911 - January 9, 2014

Obituary Notification

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