Elva Nadine (Wagoner) Spry
Marriages
Sheldon Ernest Spry - September 1956
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B Obituary - August 23, 2017
Elva Spry December 15, 1923 - August 10, 2017
Elva Nadine Wagoner Spry passed away of natural causes on August 10, 2017. She was 93 and had lived at Mesa Manor Care Center for almost three years. Elva was born at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel in 1923. She was the first baby born above timberline who survived. Her family moved to Ft. Lupton when Elva was two and to Cameo when she was four years old. Elva attended school in Cameo and Palisade and graduated from Grand Junction High School and Ross Business College. Elva married Sheldon Ernest Spry, who was from La Verne, California, in September, 1957. They lived briefly in Phoenix, Arizona before settling in Grand Junction for the remainder of their lives. Elva worked on the Manhattan Project as administrative assistant, for the VA Hospital payroll department in Phoenix, Arizona and Grand Junction, and retired from the Soil Conservation Service as Area Clerk after more than 35 years of service. Elva then worked at St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Room as ward secretary for ten years, and Grand Valley Hybrids, as accounting and payroll assistant for another ten years. She quit working outside of the home at the age of 84. Elva was an amazing wife, sister, mother, and grandmother. She was generous to a fault and was always incredibly loving, loyal, and supportive to her family. Elva had a sharp mind, laughed easily, was steadfast, calm and amazingly resilient. Her faith was strong and guided her through her life. She was an extraordinary clothing seamstress and alterations specialist, and a wonderful baker. Although she worked outside the home, Elva still prepared and served dinner for her family every evening within 30 minutes of getting home. Elva was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Macey Wagoner and Thelma Lewelyn Swallum Wagoner; sisters, Guida Arminta Wagoner and Wanda Louise Wagoner Roper, and husband, Sheldon Ernest Spry, all from Grand Junction. Elva is survived by daughter, Linda Sharleen Spry O’Rourke and sonin-law, John Dean O’Rourke of Grand Junction; son, Ernest Alvin Spry and granddaughter, Kimberly Anne Spry of Aurora, Colorado; two nephews; one grand-niece, and one grandnephew. Elva has been cremated according to her wishes. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at the Orchard Mesa Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. Brunch and shared memories will follow; please plan to join us. A brief interment ceremony at the Veteran’s Cemetery Committal Shelter on D Road will occur at 3:00 p.m.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 8A Death Notice - August 18, 2017
Elva Wagoner Spry, 93, Grand Junction, died Aug. 10, 2017, at Mesa Manor. Services will take place at a later date. Survivors include one son, Ernest Alvin of Aurora; one daughter, Linda Spry O’Rourke of Clifton; and one grandchild. Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society at www. cancer.org. n
