Alma Sprague

Alma Chavez Sprague passed away peacefully Oct. 27, 2015, in Las Vegas. Born April 6, 1921, Alma moved to the Las Vegas Valley in 1923, when her father, Jesús Chavez, was transferred to Arden, on the southern edge of the Valley, to be foreman for the Gypsum Mine Company. The Chavez family was one of the first Hispanic families to settle in Las Vegas. Alma's family moved to F St. and Jefferson in 1928 and, with her three brothers, Antonio, Albert and Benjamin, and two sisters, Virginia and Helen, attended the old Fifth Street Grammar School. In fourth grade there, Alma met her future husband, Paul M. Sprague, whose family moved here from Moapa Valley in 1925. In those days, there was only one high school, Las Vegas High, and Alma graduated in 1939. She was a good student and an avid member of the tumbling team. She would later attend classes there as a student of the new Nevada Southern University, now UNLV, which in its early years used classrooms at the high school. After high school, Alma began work as a secretary at the Woitishek Lumber Co., the U.S. Department of Interior and the Clark County Farm Bureau. The Chavez's were Catholic, attending St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in downtown Las Vegas. Alma, Virginia and Helen were all members of the original choir and performed at the dedication of Hoover Dam in 1935. She and her sister, Virginia, remained in Las Vegas after World War II and became an active part of the ever-expanding Las Vegas community. After marrying in 1948, Paul and Alma moved to Reno, where Paul attended the University of Nevada, and Alma worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Returning to Las Vegas in 1952, Alma was legal secretary to prominent local attorney, Michael Hines, for 17 years. She became judicial secretary for District Judge Mike Wendell in the Eighth Judicial District, staying with him for 16 years until they both retired in 1991. Alma knew just about every lawyer in town and they all loved her and appreciated her caring, loving and generous demeanor. Alma and Paul enjoyed a close and loving marriage, sharing travels and adventures, cut short by Paul's passing in 1985. Alma continued traveling with her siblings who remained extremely close, ultimately visiting every continent, except Antarctica, and many U.S. states. She exchanged notes and cards with several friends she met through her travels, for the remainder of her life. Alma was an active member of the St. Viator Catholic Community since its dedication in the 1970's, especially the Ladies Guild in which she remained active well into her later years. An avid Rebel basketball fan, she loved going to see them play at the Thomas and Mack, and was one of the first members of the UNLV Foundation. She was also a regular donor to Las Vegas High School. While she never had children of her own, Alma was a mother figure to her many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her nephew, Rick Culley, his wife, Laura, and great-nephews, Paul, Luke and Alex Culley; her nieces, Mary Helen Bush (Dick), Barbara Banning and Linda Chavez; nephews, Fred Chavez and Tom Halliday; great-nephews, Lee and Lane Chavez; as well as her sister-in-law, Jackie Chavez. Her adoring dog, Tiger, remains with the Culley family, where he is a constant source of entertainment for their dogs, Kobe and Khloe. Alma was among the last of a dying breed, a true Nevadan with a great personality, fun-loving, generous, big-hearted and caring. She loved being from Las Vegas because it was a 24-hour town. She loved playing Bingo, Keno and video poker, having drinks and eating out with family and friends. Alma was one of those people who made others smile when they saw her. She will be missed by all, but remembered with love. Services for Alma will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at St. Viator Church, 2461 E. Flamingo Road (at Eastern Ave.). Burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1500 Las Vegas Blvd. N. Donations in her name may be made to the UNLV Foundation or St. Viator Ladies Guild.

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