Eva Joan "Joanie" Miller Stevens

Eva Joan “Joanie” Miller Stevens passed away November 9, 2018.  She was born in Seattle, Washington to Clarence and Eva Mae Miller on November 26, 1930. She spent the last 70 years of her life in Walla Walla as a college student, mother, teacher and stage presence around the community. She took her last curtain call near her family in Oregon.

Growing up in Seattle, Joan was involved with the First Christian Church but also had close girlfriends from the Holy Names Cathedral on Capitol Hill, including her lifelong friend, Sister Jean Fallon.  She graduated from Garfield High School in 1948 where she participated in school and church choirs and was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

After moving to Walla Walla to attend and graduate from Whitman College, Joan pledged and remained a lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. At Whitman, she began her singing and acting pursuits by participating in Whitman Theater and campus music programs.  It was during one of her first musical productions that her future husband, Robert “Spud” Stevens, saw her on stage and that was it!  They were married October 11, 1952.  Thereafter, Spud joined her by playing drums in the orchestra pit in many of her performances.

Joan was happiest when on stage singing and/or acting in the many theater productions in the Walla Walla area; Fiddler On The Roof, South Pacific, The King and I, Oklahoma!, Trails West, Gypsy, The Sound of Music, Bells Are Ringing, Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie, and others. Joan also actively sang in Sweet Adeline’s and the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Choir. Joan was a member of P.E.O. Walla Walla Chapter CI and the Washington State Retired Teachers Association. Early on, she was active in the Junior Club of Walla Walla and volunteered for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Camp Fire Girls and The Walla Walla Little Theatre.

When Joan’s children were in grade school, she earned her teaching certificate which enabled her to enjoy a teaching career from the mid-1960s until she retired as a 4th grade teacher from Prospect Point Elementary School. She so cherished the many student notes and cards she received over the years. Joan valued her friends and colleagues and was a champion of fair play and honesty.

During their 63 years of marriage, Spud and Joan enjoyed traveling abroad but most enjoyed their many trips to the Oregon Coast. Fond memories include the Frog hour at Seaside and the many sunsets enjoyed at Cannon Beach.

Joan Stevens is survived by her children, Gina Draggoo, Leslie (Bob) Phillips, and Todd (Tamara) Stevens; grandchildren, David (Kelly) and Jenna Draggoo, Hunter Benedict, Robert (Kaitlin) Benedict, Colin Stevens and Bryn Stevens; plus five great-grandchildren James, Miguel, Bella, Reid and Remi.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Reverend Father Steven Woolley Officiant.  A private family graveside will follow the reception at Campbell Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Whitman College Music Program or Whitman’s Alpha Phi Sorority through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.