Vivian Lorietta 'Lori' Vela

June 24, 1940 - June 17, 2015

Vivian Lorietta "Lori" Vela, 74, Moses Lake resident passed away on June 17, 2015 at Samaritan Hospital, surrounded by her family. Viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Monday, June 22, 2015 at Kayser's Chapel followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. at Kayser's Chapel. Interment will be at Pioneer Memorial Gardens.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.

Lori was born June 24, 1940 in Wardell, Mo. to Oliver (O.W.) and Osa (Willard) Gilliam. She was the eighth child of 12; Edward (Shorty), Dub, Billie, Pat, Earl, Barb, Albert, Lori, Rose, Alvin, Nita, and Sue.

On Sept. 30, 1987, Lori married Greg Vela. Together they shared 9 children; Lori's four sons and two daughters, Gary (Becky) Nolan of Sebeka, Minn., David (Linda) Gillespie of Portland, Ore., Melinda of Moses Lake, Wash., Will Gillespie of Underwood, N.D., Pam Gillespie of Staples, Minn., and John (Deb) Gillespie of Newark, Ohio and Greg's three sons, Gary (Tichi) Vela, Joseph (Teresa) Vela, and Armando Vela all of Moses Lake, Wash. They now have 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Lori, at 4'9" was still bigger than life. She enjoyed baseball (go Braves!), fishing, bowling, and vacations back home to see her family. She collected angels and owls and loved her wish books and crosswords, but most of all she enjoyed spending her day at home with Greg.

Lori is preceded in death by her parents Oliver and Osa Gilliam; brothers Earl, Dub, Alvin (Buddy), Edward (Shorty), and Albert; and sisters Barb Snay and Rose Gilliam. She is survived by her husband Greg, 77; her four sons and two daughters; three stepsons; four sisters, 18 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She will always and forever be loved and missed by all who knew her.