Neva Jean Corlett, age 88, of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, December 31, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 8, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Brookings, with interment in Greenwood Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be held at Eidsness Funeral Home on Friday, January 7 from 4-6 p.m.

Neva Jean Walker was born on June 24, 1933, in Brookings, the daughter of Jacob and Dora (Reiter) Walker. Neva received her education in Afton Township District #12 in Brookings County, SD.  She was a graduate of the Brookings High School in 1951.

She was united in marriage to Stanley Corlett on August 1, 1954, at the First United Methodist Church in Brookings. After their marriage she was employed at several downtown businesses including Ben Franklin, Geyermann's, and Coast to Coast.  In 1972, she was employed at J.C. Penney in Brookings and continued to work there until her retirement in 1993.

Neva Jean was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.  She was dedicated to her church with service in many areas including a nursery Sunday school teacher and for many years with Stan on the funeral committee.  She was a Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary, Legion Auxiliary, and the N.A.R.F.E. Neva held several offices in the VFW Auxiliary and served as the State President from 1967 until 1968.  She volunteered for many organizations including Meals on Wheels and Brookview Manor.

Neva enjoyed knitting, embroidery work, and visiting and sharing time with her friends. Her greatest joy was traveling with Stan on trips to visit family (mostly in the south), but also to Germany and Italy and bus trips to SDSU basketball games.

Neva is survived by one son, Steven of North Augusta, SC; two daughters, Cindy of Lexington, NC, and Donita (Steve) James of Columbia, SC; three grandchildren, Alana (Joe Fennell) James, Jennifer James, Justin (Brittany) James; six great-grandchildren, Kai, Ava, Lea, Ean, Keaton, and Kenyan; two sisters, Margaret Haber of Brookings and Marly Skogstad of Sioux Falls; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family, Cindy Lou and Bill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and four sisters.  The family requests memorials be directed to the First United Methodist Church or to an organization of your choice.