Vada Bell Potter Lewis

Today, we gather in love, in sorrow, and in deep gratitude to honor and celebrate the life of Vada Bell Potter Lewis.

Vada’s story began on December 27, 1932, in the scenic mountain town of Butte, Montana. Her father worked as a miner under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. During one of his shifts, he suffered a terrible accident in which his leg was crushed, resulting in an extended hospital stay and a long recovery. After his release, the family moved to the small town of Trout Creek, Montana, affectionately known as the “Huckleberry Capital of Montana.”

It was in this beautiful and peaceful setting that Vada spent her childhood. As the second youngest of five sisters and two brothers, she grew up surrounded by family, the beauty of the outdoors, and the everyday responsibilities of life. Her days were filled with outdoor adventures, cooking, cleaning, and the close bonds of a large family.

Those early years helped shape the woman Vada would become: strong, resilient, independent, and self-sufficient. Vada was a headstrong woman who knew how to handle whatever life put in front of her. She was capable, resourceful, and not easily intimidated by a challenge. But Vada's strength was only one part of who she was. She also had a flair for life. She loved to dress up, frequently wore stilettos, and enjoyed dancing. She had her own mind, her own style, and the confidence to be herself. She showed those around her that a woman could be strong and independent while still embracing the joy, beauty, and fun that family life had to offer. Along with her strength and independence, Vada had a profound faith in Jesus Christ. Her faith was an important part of who she was and a guiding influence throughout her life. She was an example to her family, not only through the way she lived, but through the faith she held in her heart. Her life reminded those around her of the importance of trusting in the Lord, remaining steadfast through life's challenges, and keeping faith at the center of her family.

And then came one of the most important chapters of her life: the day she met LaVern Lewis.

Their love story began in an unlikely place—a small café where Vada was working as a waitress. One day, in walked a tall, handsome man named LaVern. The connection was immediate, and before long, two lives had become one shared journey.

While LaVern was serving in the Korean War, the two were married, beginning a partnership that would span more than 70 years. What they built together was much more than a long marriage. It was a remarkable love story, grounded in devotion, trust, and a commitment to stand beside one another through whatever life brought their way.

During the many years LaVern worked as a construction engineer, often away at job sites and moving the family from one place to another, Vada was the steady hand at home. She took charge of the day-to-day responsibilities, raised their daughters, and made sure the family was cared for. She did what needed to be done, and she had the strength and determination to see it through. Vada and LaVern were soulmates in every sense of the word. They moved through life side by side, supporting one another with quiet devotion, shared strength, and a love that endured through the years. Their relationship was a testament to the beauty of choosing one another, day after day, through all the changes and challenges life brings.

Together, Vada and LaVern raised two daughters, Connie and Kelly. Their daughters became the heart of Vada’s world, and through them, her family continued to grow. She was blessed with nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren—a beautiful and lasting legacy of the life and love she and LaVern built together.

Each generation carries something forward: a family story, a cherished memory, a familiar expression, a lesson learned, or a little piece of the strength and love that began long ago. In that way, Vada’s life reaches far beyond her own years. Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured and in the generations who will continue to remember her.

We feel the weight of loss today because Vada mattered deeply to those around her. Her presence helped shape our families, our memories, and the rhythm of our lives. When someone has been part of our world for so long, their absence leaves a space that cannot simply be filled.

Grief is not a sign of weakness. It is the echo of love—the evidence of a life intertwined with ours in ways both great and small. We grieve because we loved her, because we shared a part of our lives with her, and because having her here mattered.

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Vada completed her earthly journey. Although our hearts are heavy, we can find comfort in the faith she held so deeply throughout her life. Vada's profound belief in Jesus Christ was a source of strength and a lasting example to her family. Today, that faith reminds us of the knowledge of eternal life and the promise of peace in the presence of the Lord. We take comfort in trusting that her earthly struggles are over and that she is now at peace, embraced by the love and grace of her Savior. After a lifetime of strength, hard work, love, and devotion, may she rest in the peace she so richly deserves.

And perhaps one of the greatest ways we can honor Vada is to carry forward what her life has taught us. We can cherish our families, stand beside the people we love, meet life’s challenges with strength, and remember to enjoy the moments we are given. We can keep her memory alive not only in the stories we tell, but also in the love we share and the way we care for one another.

.....Today, we say goodbye with sadness, but also with gratitude.

Gratitude for the years we had with Vada. Gratitude for the family she helped build. Gratitude for the love she gave, the memories she leaves behind, and the remarkable life she shared with LaVern and all those fortunate enough to know her. May we remember Vada Bell Potter Lewis with love, speak of her with fondness, honor her with the way we live, and carry her memory in our hearts for generations to come.

May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love she so richly deserves.