Erma Irene Millsap Stevenson

Erma Irene Millsap Stevenson, of Mattoon, Illinois, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 11:55 a.m. in her home surrounded by her family. \r\nA private graveside service will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. The family hopes this obituary will serve as a celebration of her life. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938, is assisting the family with arrangements. \r\nErma was born on May 19, 1926 in Borton, Illinois, the daughter of Ray and Effie Hopkins Millsap. In 1944, she married Arthur Glen James II, and they had two daughters, Karen Lynn and Marla Rae. In 1950, she married Robert James Stevenson, and they had four children, Lora Marie, Kimberly Kaye, Jamie Leigh, and Robert Ray. \r\nSurvivors include her daughters, Karen James Nolen, Marla James Carnes (Richard), Lora Stevenson Erickson (Kenneth), Kimberly Stevenson Knox, Jamie Stevenson Walck (James); and one son, Robert Stevenson (Jennifer). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kevin Nolen, Krista Nolen Schomig (Dan), Kurt Nolen, John Vaultonburg (Teri), Erica Vaultonburg Price (Joe), Kara Vaultonburg Richards, Chris Erickson, Katelyn Erickson, Adam Knox, Miles Knox, Nicole Cocco, Tori Flesher, Maddie Flesher, Robert Stevenson (Krystin), and Megan Stevenson; great-grandchildren, Noelani Schomig, Shaylee and Sierra Vaultonburg, Haleigh and Caden Price, Ava Richards, Kealie and Max Toops, Taylor and Lacie Knox, and Lillyan Stevenson; and great-great grandchildren, Alyssa Rentfro and Harleigh Vaultonburg. She was also survived by her loving pets, Sammy and 'Kitty Kat' Belle. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents; her granddaughter, Sally Stucker; son-in-law, Russell Nolen; and nine brothers and sisters. \r\nShe was a member of Mattoon Christian Church, THEOS, and a former member of Eastern Star and Super 60s at the YMCA. \r\nErma graduated from Charleston High School in 1944. As a young woman, she worked at Brown Shoe Company, Owl Drug Store and General Electric Company. Later years she worked for L&K Restaurant, Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home, and Holly Hall Retirement Home in Houston, Texas. \r\nErma was well known for her sense of humor. Even as her health failed in recent years, she never lost that sense of humor. One thing she passed on to her children was her ability to embellish and put into action a funny story. A family dinner was often interrupted by someone jumping up and acting out the details of an interesting situation. Although Erma rarely finished a complete sentence, her children were all able to communicate with each other by following her story line. Once when a friend visited with her daughter Lora, she commented she didn't know whether Erma was on a bus to Branson or the game show 'finish this phrase' when trying to keep up with the conversation. Her quick wit was passed on to Lora, Kim, and Rob, who keep the family gatherings in stitches. She had the gift of hospitality and loved planning social events whether a card party in her home or a hostess for her THEOS mystery dinner which always included a surprise gift for her guests. Any stranger could come into her home and feel welcome. The gift of gab was passed on to her daughter Karen, who can carry on a conversation with anyone she meets. Erma could turn a simple meal into a feast. Everyone loved Mom's chicken and noodles. Whether it be cooking for friends or family, or surviving a winter storm, she could create anything from her pantry. The kids all remember being stuck in their country home in Windsor during a blizzard, and they never worried about going hungry or getting bored, because Mom could whip up a meal with whatever was on hand and create entertainment to keep them occupied. Her daughter Marla inherited this trait, as she enjoys cooking and can prepare a meal with whatever she has in her cabinet and has hosted many family gatherings. Erma was creative and this was demonstrated with her ideas while working at Holly Hall, Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home, and her THEOS group. She could come up with new program ideas to keep people interested and happy. We all remember Mom's creative costumes at Halloween. She made a lot of her children's clothes when they were younger. This creativity carried over to her home as she loved to decorate her home. Her daughter Jamie picked up this gift of being a seamstress and making any house feel like a home. She also loved to shop and when Super Wal-Mart was opened, she was ecstatic. In fact, if there is a Wal-Mart in heaven, Mom will certainly be the super shopper. Erma loved to work in her yard planting flowers. She especially loved that her daughter Karen followed her passion for gardening. Mom also loved music and dancing. Erma and Jim used to go square dancing when they were younger. Mom always loved listening to music on the stereo, whether it be big band, country, Engelbert Humperdinck, Glenn Campbell or Tom Jones. No matter the style of music or the decade, she liked the music of the time. While all of her children enjoy music and dancing, her daughter Marla seems to have picked up the gift of dancing and her son Rob could sing her favorite country songs. In fact, Mom thought Rob sounded like George Strait, but as many of her friends know, Mom's hearing was going in her later years. What Erma enjoyed most, was her family coming together and laughing and having a good time. She commented to a friend that she couldn't always keep up with their conversations, but she just loved hearing them talk and laugh. In her final moments, her children were at her side and they shared stories and laughed. Her children were certain that their laughter carried her into the gates of heaven. She will be missed by all. \r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Coles County Animal Shelter, Coles County Humane Society, or Mattoon Christian Church.\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with her family. \r\n

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Erma Irene Millsap Stevenson

May 19, 2026 - April 8, 2011