Zella Vera Silva

Former Grants Pass resident, Zella Vera Silva, age 91, of Weaverville, California died Monday, June 11, 2012 in Redding, California.

Zella was born September 13, 1920 in Vale, Oregon to Charles & Nellie (Pierce) Franklin. As a child, she moved with her family from Vale to Grants Pass in 1923. On June 2, 1940 in Grants Pass she married Paul Silva. In 1969 she moved to Adin, California and in 1978 she moved to Weaverville, California.

While in Grants Pass she attended Redwood Country Church. In Weaverville she attended Weaverville Nazarene Church and served on the church board, as well as on the Nazarene Christian School board.

Zella loved camping, games, crossword puzzles, cooking, being a prayer warrior for the Nazarene Church, entertaining, and most of all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Zella is survived by three sisters, Margret Kliewer of Grants Pass, Oregon and Ruth Chapman and Beth Keeler both of Redding, California; four children, Tom Silva of St. Louis, Missouri, Bob Silva of Beaverton, Oregon, Sharon Newberry of Lone Wolf, Oklahoma and Glenna Jones of Weaverville, California; grandchildren, Susan Silva-Cavanaugh of Grants Pass, Oregon, Keith Silva of Higden, Arkansas, Kyle Silva of Denver, Colorado, Penny Bush of Coweta, Oklahoma, Brian Silva of Beaverton, Oregon, William Silva of Santa Clarita, California, Brad Silva of Tigard, Oregon, Brent Silva of Ashdown, Arkansas, Rhonda Bourland of Purcell, Oklahoma, and Roy Jones of Orland, California; great-grandchildren, Laura Silva of Willits, California, Kiri Silva of Willits, California, Ryan Silva of Higden, Arkansas, Cody Silva of Higden, Arkansas , Sidney Silva of Denver, Colorado, Zac Silva of Denver, Colorado, Savannah Bush of Coweta, Oklahoma, Brianna Bush of Coweta, Oklahoma, Marissa Silva of Santa Clarita, California, Kyle Bailey and Bret Bailey both of Tigard, Oregon, Kaylee Silva, Chloe Silva and Caroline Silva all of Ashdown, Arkansas; Alexandria Bourland, Ryan Sylvia and Stephanie Sylvia all of Purcell, Oklahoma; and Tristan Jones and Kayden Jones both of Orland, California; and one great-great-grandchild, Isaac Silva of Willits, California.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Silva; a baby daughter, Ruby Silva; two grandsons, Kevin Silva and Ron Sylvia; three great-grandchildren, Brandon Silva, Josh Silva, and Chelsea Silva.

Zella will be greatly missed by family and friends, but they know she has gone home to walk the streets of gold with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Granite Hill Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, (DCH Foundation) 1121 SW Salmon Street Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97205.