Nelle Lorraine Stem passed away August 16th, at Saint Ann Nursing Home just two months shy of her 102nd birthday. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on October 19, 1918 to Charles and Jennie Clement, Nelle was the fifth of six children. At age twelve she moved into the residence of Buell and Ruth Mayes of Muskogee to help with their two young sons, four-year-old Buell and two-year-old Clair.
While attending Muskogee Central High School, Nelle also worked in the Mayes family insurance agency. Upon graduation, she went to work for the Civil Service at the Veteran’s Administration’s Muskogee office transferring to the Pentagon War Office in Washington, DC when World War II broke out.
After the war was over, Nelle moved back to Muskogee and the VA, and then on to Oklahoma City office where she met one of Muskogee’s most eligible bachelors, Ray Murphy Stem. They were married in November 1946 and were blessed with a daughter Crystal Ann in March of 1948. Nelle retired from Civil Service at the the Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City.
All her siblings preceded her in death as did Ray. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Jim Siggins of Oklahoma City; grandson, Todd Siggins Garrett and husband Randle of San Antonio, Texas; grandson Christopher Siggins and wife Cheryl of Mesquite, Texas and great grandchildren Cameron and Emily Siggins of Mesquite, Texas.
Nelle was a member of the First Christian Church of Muskogee and remained active in the Disciples of Christ denomination in Oklahoma City, Dallas, Baton Rouge for the remainder of her life. A graveside service will be held at Resurrection Cemetery, Oklahoma City at 1:00 PM, Monday, August 24th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to local no-kill animal shelters.
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