Denice Ann Mettle

1946 - 2024

DENICE ANN MOREHEAD METTLE

April 11, 1946 – May 4, 2024

Denice went home to join the Lord on May 4, 2024, with her daughter at her side, as "It is Well" was playing in her ear. Denice was born the fourth daughter to James C. Morehead and Evelyn Heberlie Morehead. She was part of the third generation of the Morehead family of Chico, California. She graduated from Chico Senior High School, Stevens College of Columbia Missouri and Chico State in 1969. Denice spent her lifetime as a teacher, second grade at Lamont Elementary School in Lamont California for 37 years. She became fluent in Spanish so she could better communicate with her students and their parents.

In June of 1983, she married the love of her life, Oliver Paul Mettle, at First Presbyterian Church, Bakersfield. Paul adored Denice and they lived a full and loving life together until Pauls passing in October of 2015.

Denice was an active member of many clubs and service organizations, being active up until her passing. She was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association of Bakersfield where she served as Treasurer for 30 years, Emblem club, where she was president for 24 years, Epsilon Beta Secretary for 12 years, Eastern Star Worthy Matron, Treasurer since 1991, Delta Kappa Gamma, Treasurer, Jobs Daughters and others.

Beyond her club activities she enjoyed her life to the fullest. Even the younger people had a hard time keeping up with her. She enjoyed all opportunities to see a play, attending all the local theaters like Ovation, Stars and her favorite, the Melodrama. She loved art and had been taking painting lessons for the last several years, each Tuesday morning, where she became quite a proficient artist under Kims direction; she could replicate anything and loved painting special pieces for those she loved. She had a passion for Jigsaw Puzzles, especially ones by Charles Wysocki. There was always a puzzle in progress as there was on the day of her passing.

Denice loved to travel. She and Paul had many adventures. Upon his passing she found a new travel buddy, Marciel Stramler (aka green dot). They had many adventures taking cruises to such places as Alaska, the Mississippi River, Hawaii, where they were able to visit the town of Lanai not long before it burned. The last cruise was to the Panama Canal in January of 2024.

Denice was a deep woman of faith and served the Lord her entire life. Denice was a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1977. She served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. She was a well-loved member of the church, always giving love and laughter to all she encountered. She even earned the nickname "trouble" from her pastors, which she was proud of. She took to heart the bible's instruction to "Train up a child" and to "Love one another as I have loved you." It was at First Presbyterian Church Where God arranged for a divine adoption, when she became part of the Shaw Family, earning the titles of "Mom" and "Grandma", which fulfilled a lifelong longing in her heart.

Denice was love personified in real life. She met no stranger and loved all those in her life dearly. She had so many friends but wanted to make special mention of Veronica White, her dear friend since 1969.

Denice is predeceased by her loving husband, Oliver Paul Mettle, sisters, Jamie Morehead and April Pryor. She is survived by sisters, Terry Morehead Dworkin (Roger) and Jill Ramsey. Many nieces and nephews: Joel, James, Jerome and Jeffrey Pryor, Aimee Krafsky, Craig and Andrew Dworkin, Deborah Hanning, Marybeth Ramsey, Angela Bruening, and Katherine Berlinga, along with their spouses and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She leaves behind her special helper and friend since 1993, Max Bowser.

Denice is also survived by her adopted Family, Daughter, Diana Shaw, Lee Shaw and granddaughters Hanah and Emma Shaw.

A visitation will be held at Mission Family Mortuary in the Chapel on Friday June 7, 2024 from 4-7PM. Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:30 am with a reception to follow immediately. Graveside will be a small private gathering.

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