Lula Belle (Payne) Vela

Lula Belle Vela

(nee, Payne)

Hammond

Lula Belle Vela, age 84, of Hammond, entered into the gates of heaven on Saturday, November 24, 2018.

She is survived by seven children: Alejo (Mary) Jr., Aleta (Jim) Whittaker, Alyce (Don) Horvath, Amelia Boggs, Andrew (Diane), Annette (David) Bensinger and Anthony (Amber); twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-six great grandchildren; one sister, Doris (late Cecil) Palmer; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends.

 Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alejo Vela; parents, Harold and Sybil Payne, one sister, Ella Reynolds.

 Friends are invited to meet with the family for a time of visitation on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church 3425 Orchard Drive, Hammond, IN 46323 and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. A funeral service will be held at the church on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Scott Ferry officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Garden Cemetery, Schererville.

  Lula was born and raised in Hammond. She was a 1952 graduate of Hammond High. Lula as a young wife and mother continued her education at Purdue University earning a master degree in education.  She was a devoted teacher for some 20 years at Gavit School, teaching in the 6th grade. Lula was a faithful member of Orchard Drive Baptist Church in Hammond since 1966. She loved serving the Lord in many capacities, but her passion was playing the piano at church, which she did up until 6 weeks ago. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and a dear friend to many.

For more information you may call Bocken Funeral Home at (219)-844-1600, or www.bockenfunerals.com.

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