Wilma Jean Quinonez, 86, of Baker City, died June 14, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
No service is planned.
Wilma Jean Stevens was born on Sept. 5, 1922, at Paragould, Ark., to George Washington Stevens and Emma Anice Jeter Stevens. She grew up at Paragould and even though she only finished the sixth grade, she was always a student of life in general, her family said. She passed her knowledge of taking care of yourself in this world and spinning yarn to her children, grandchildren and many friends. She could spin a yarn with the best of them, according to family members.
She had two children from a previous marriage, Prentice Ray Griffin and Gary Don Griffin. After her divorce, she married Burt Melton. They had a son, Gerald W. Melton Sr. and a baby son who died in infancy.
After her marriage to Burt, Wilma married Cecil Finney. Cecil and Wilma raised her boys at Lompoc, Calif., until they left to start lives on their own. The boys all called Cecil “Pop” as he was the only father they really knew. Cecil and Wilma owned the Service Cab Co. at Lompoc.
In the early 1980s, Wilma married Al Quinonez and together they owned Baker Cycling. After retiring, Wilma and Al planted many vegetable and flower gardens and crafted wooden yard ornaments and birdhouses.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al Quinonez, who lost his battle with cancer just six months ago on Dec. 8, 2008; Gerald Melton Sr.; her parents; two brothers; a sister; and her infant son.
Survivors include her sons, Prentice Ray Griffin of Baker City and Gary Don Griffin of Meridian, Idaho; seven grandchildren; two stepgrandsons; and numerous great-grandchildren.
The family expressed gratitude to her grandson, Wayne Melton, for his daily care and the generous love he bestowed on his grandmother during the time of Grandfather Al’s illness and Wilma’s last six months, and to Connie Melton for her support and care.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Connection or The Salvation Army through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 22, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor