Mrs. VELMA FAYE PIEPER NADER

FORT WORTH -- Velma Faye Pieper Nader, loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, educator and faithful servant, was welcomed into the arms of her Savior early Wednesday morning, May 7, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Nader was 84 years old. Memorial service: Velma's life will be celebrated at noon Tuesday in the Cramer Chapel at Arborlawn United Methodist Church Chapel, 5001 Arborlawn Drive, with a reception will follow. She will be laid to rest privately in Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: Family and friends will gather from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Great Room at Robertson Mueller Harper. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to the James L. West Special Care Center, in her memory, is suggested. Their dedicated and loving staff has done so much to care for, and love our precious wife, mother and grandmother during her stay there. Words cannot express our gratitude and thankfulness for all you have done for Velma and our family the past few years. Born Aug. 24, 1929, in Carlton, Velma was the eighth child of 10 children born to Myrtle Barnett Pieper and Monroe Pieper. Early in her childhood, the family moved to the Inadale community of west Texas, where they were dry land farmers. When Velma was 5, her father died leaving Myrtle alone with the difficult task of raising the 10 children and running the farm. All this at the onset of the dust bowl. Life was hard. Velma attended Pyron School, where she was a school beauty and athlete. After graduating from high school, she was able to attend Texas Tech where she earned her BA in elementary education. While at school in Lubbock, she met Richard Louis Nader, who had just retuned from four years of service in World War II. They married in 1950 and would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this July. Velma dedicated her life to the education of young children. She began her career in 1950 teaching elementary school in Wylie. Throughout the years, and many moves with Richard's job, she also taught kindergarten and preschool. In 1964, the family moved back to Fort Worth where Velma and Richard were longtime members of Westcliff United Methodist Church and the Co-Workers Sunday School Class. Eventually, she became the director of the Mothers' Day Out and Pre-School programs at the church. After earning her certificate in diaconal Christian education at SMU, Velma took over as head of Children's Ministries at Westcliff until her retirement in 1992. She touched countless lives of all the children at Westcliff, greeting each child with a smile and a big hello; the children all loved Mrs. Nader. A lifelong Methodist, Velma was active in the United Methodist Women, Sunday school and many other church events. She was a master seamstress. During her lifetime she sewed countless bridesmaid dresses, Christening gowns, smocked children's clothes and doll clothes. But, she also took delight in sewing on a scout patch or raising a hem for a loved one. She was an excellent 42 player and spent many fun hours playing 42 and bridge with her dear friends. Velma was the ultimate hostess. She loved having her home filled with family, friends and laughter. She was always entertaining, cooking and opening her home to others. She was a surrogate mom to many folks living far from their own families. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Orene Pieper Cummings; and brothers, Barnett, Delmon, Arnold, and Duane Pieper. Survivors: In addition to her husband, Richard Louis Nader, Velma is survived by her son, James Richard Nader and his wife, Kay; daughter, Rebecca Nader Mckenzie and her husband, Dan; grandchildren, E.J. Nader and his wife, Sarah, John Nader and his wife, Casey, Joseph Nader and his wife, Mary Kathryn, Jordan Nader and his wife, Jennifer, Karolyn Mckenzie and Robert Mckenzie; great-grandchildren, Ashleigh, Alexis, Lydia, James Joseph, Emmett and Adalyn; sister, Jewell Pieper Harris; brothers, Arthur Lee, Carl and Travis Pieper; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. VELMA FAYE PIEPER NADER please visit our Sympathy Store.