Verla Jean Elliott's Obituary
Verla Jean Elliott
Verla Elliott lost her brief battle with cancer on November 16, 2013. She was born on July 29, 1936 to Charles and Beatrice (Levine) Elliott in Seattle, WA. Her mother later married Harold Price and they moved to Bremerton where Verla graduated from Bremerton High School in 1954.
The family then moved to Tacoma and Verla attended The College of Puget Sound in 1955 and 1956. She often recalled fond memories of attending the college and working in the drama department backstage. Verla loved music, was a talented singer and sang with the “The Independent Girls” choir during her time in college.
Verla worked for Pacific Northwest Bell after college and later moved to Southern California where she saw the CBS Studios building one day and announced that she would soon work there. Not long after, in 1961, she landed a job at CBS in Beverly Hills, where she primarily worked as an Executive Secretary for 30 wonderful years. Verla loved CBS and worked in several departments including working on the Art Linkletter show. At CBS, she met and worked with many celebrities, including Carol Burnett, and made many life-long friends.
Verla loved animals and always had wonderful pets and participated in Humane Society charitable events.
Verla moved back to Tacoma, Washington in the early 90s to be near family where she worked as the Executive Secretary at Korum Ford in Puyallup and as a hostess at the Olive Garden for 15 years before retiring.
Verla attended church at Life Center in Tacoma where she participated in women’s bible study.
She joined the big band “A Touch of Class” at the coaxing of her younger brother, Bob, who played drums in the band. She sang with the band for over 8 years. She was also a singer in the group “The Fun Singers” who perform at facilities and events throughout the South Puget Sound area.
In 2012 she fulfilled her lifelong dream recording her own CD, “Just the Way You Are” including standards favorites such as “That Old Feeling.”
She was known for her positive attitude, enjoyment of the arts and had many enduring friends.
Verla is survived by her brother, Robert (Bob) Elliott (Mary), niece Dana Whitford (Marc) nephew Ryan Cooper (Shannon Hall), great niece Piper Cooper and great nephew Casey Groshong.
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