Nelle J. Travaille, 83, of Prosser, peacefully went home to Heaven on February 24, 2015 at her home.
Nelle was born on February 7, 1932 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Raymond and Agnes (Turley) Steelman. She was raised and educated in Duncan, Oklahoma and graduated from Duncan High School in 1950. She continued her education at Oklahoma State University and graduated with degrees in education and music in 1954.
Nelle married Samuel Alexander Woodworth who was serving in the U.S. Air Force with Leonard Travaille, their neighbor. As Sam left for Vietnam, he asked his friend, Leonard, to look after his wife and children. Unfortunately, Sam died in Vietnam on April 17, 1965. Leonard kept the promise he made and while stationed in Bangkok, Thailand, Nelle came for a visit and the couple were married in Thailand on May 25, 1966. Nelle and her children accompanied Leonard on several assignments including seven years in England. After Leonard’s retirement from the Air Force in 1977, they made their home in Apple River, Illinois where they remained until moving to Prosser in 2002.
Nelle taught elementary students at a military dependent school in England and later taught piano and organ lessons from home. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and served as church organist and in the Women’s Missionary Group. She loved bible studies and studying the bible in depth on her own.
Nelle loved quilting, crocheting, knitting, needle point, camping and was an avid reader. She was a wonderful cook, often from scratch and also enjoyed canning and baking.
Nelle is survived by her husband of forty-nine years, Leonard of Prosser; five children, Marvin Woodworth and his wife, Saundra of Corbin, Kentucky, Kathye DeLuca and her husband, Russell of Niceville, Florida, Chris Travaille and his wife, Crystal of Savannah, Georgia, Craig Travaille of Augusta, Kansas and Alan Woodworth and his wife, Laura of Kansas City, Missouri; seventeen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Bays and her husband, Glen of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Rayma Pinney and her husband, Lan of Lena, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27th at Calvary Baptist Church in Prosser. Memorial contributions may be made to the music fund at the church. You may leave a message of condolence for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com