Viola Pearl Stepp

Viola Pearl Stepp was born to William Sherman and Lela (Hilderbrand) Stevenson on November 3, 1916, in Mumford, Mo. Mrs. Stepp died November 19, 2010, peacefully in her sleep after an extended illness in the Willows Neighborhood at Quail Creek in Springfield. She was married to the Rev. Warren Williams Stepp on March 21, 1941 and he predeceased her in 1994. She was also predeceased by her parents, and her sisters and their spouses: Laura Edith Murray, Emma Irene (Marvin) Bass, Lela Willie (Ray) McDonnell, and Dorothy Mae Dixon and her young brother, William Thomas Stevenson. She has one surviving sister, Martha Allene (Charles Oscar) Owen and brother-in-law Arvil Lee Dixon. Her brother-in-law, Victor Stepp and his wife Doris Stepp King also predeceased her.
She is survived by her son and wife, Steven Lee (Peggy) Stepp and two grandchildren, Dr. Phillip Warren Stepp and Elizabeth Janelle Stepp. She had numerous nieces and nephews.
She moved with her family around southwest Missouri and Oklahoma growing up while her father worked in the mines and then in the Frisco Shops building steam engines. She attended Mt. Pisgah School, Gulf School, Pipkin Junior High, and Springfield Senior High School. After high school she was floor manager in Newberry's Department Store for 10 years. She and Warren lived with his parents, James Leland and Janet Grace Stepp while she worked and Warren attended Southern Baptist Seminary. Rev. Stepp pastored churches in Rogersville, Seymour, St. Louis, and Springfield. As the pastor's wife she worked side by side with him doing whatever needed to be done and helping everyone with a smile and positive attitude. After his retirement from the ministry she worked with him at Memorial Services and Tri-States Music as the bookkeeper. In 1969, together with her husband and son she began National Audio Company, doing whatever it took to get the business going with a smile and can do attitude. She loved to piece quilts and have great times with her sisters and families visiting, cooking and "playing peanuts." This lovely, witty Christian woman will be missed by all here and welcomed to her new home.
The family would like to express special appreciation to the staff at the Willows Neighborhood at Quail Creek for their loving and tender care of this very special lady.
Mrs. Stepp was a member of University Heights Baptist Church and the Seniors Sunday School class.
Services will be Monday November 22, 2010, at 2 pm in the Chapel at University Heights Baptist Church with Dr. Danny Chisholm conducting the services under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation will be 1 pm in the chapel preceding the service. Graveside service will be at Maple Park Cemetery at 2 pm on Tuesday November 23, 2010. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Campaign of University Heights Baptist Church.