Wilma L. Steele, age 92, passed away peacefully at home in the early morning of Saturday, March 5, 2016 after a life-long devotion to family, church, and friends. Wilma was born on February 6, 1924, in a one-room "rock" (not brick) house on a dry land farm in Crowell, Texas. Her parents, Claude Nichols and Effie Mae Bowman Nichols, had five other children besides Wilma. Wilma admittedly despised milking the cows and would trade chores with her siblings because "they would swish their tails and hit me when the flies would bother them." Wilma postponed her plans of going to business school so that she could drive a tractor on her Father's farm while her brothers fought in the war.
Wilma has been a Lompoc resident since 1961 and has been very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving several callings there including Relief Society President where she helped with the annual "Strawberry Pie Project" for many years, coordinating the efforts of LDS members to make over 2000 strawberry pies for sale at the Flower Festival. Wilma was fondly referred to as one of the church's "Clydesdales" by Bishop Stewart; she could take on any load, no matter how big or how rushed the deadline, and be counted upon to faithfully complete her tasks and to help others do the same.
Wilma was predeceased by two husbands: Aubrey Ozell "Jack" Bailey and Ray Steele; three children: Jerry Bailey, Rick Bailey (Karen) and Louise Bailey Briggs (Terry); three siblings: Irene, Elmer and Oscar; and son-in-law Eugene Connour. Wilma is survived by two daughters: Debbie Bailey Wilson (Mike) and Larinda Bailey Connour (the late Eugene); one brother, Bill Nichols of Crowell, Texas; eight grandchildren: James, Mike and Lisa Bailey; Cherie Schroff, Denise and Jessica Richter; and Amy and Joe Connour; fifteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Wilma is also survived by 4 children from her second husband, Ray Steele and his first wife, Dorothy Barron: Gary Barron (Lorraine); Jeffery Barron (Dana); Eric Barron (Chris) and Becky Tovey; as well as many grandchildren. One son, Bill Barron, predeceased Wilma.
We will be celebrating the life of Wilma Louise Nichols Bailey Steele on Friday, March 11, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints on Prune Street in Lompoc. Visitation will begin at 11 am and the service will begin at noon. Interment will be in Lompoc Cemetery and will be private for the family.