BENTONVILLE — Elvia Demaree,

56, of Bentonville, Ark., was promoted to Heaven on February 21, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Elvia was born on April 30, 1966, in Toluca, Mexico, to the late Jose Apreza Garcia and Carmen Vences de Apreza. While living in Mexico as a young adult, Elvia was nicknamed “Bella” by her nephew as an attempt to pronounce her name when he was younger. “Bella,” meaning beautiful or lovely in Spanish, is exactly who she was.

Elvia believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ: that God in His sovereignty and love sent His perfect Son to rescue us from sin and brokenness, redeeming us into fellowship with Himself, and promising a restoration of Creation forever.

Elvia’s hope in this Gospel was reflected in the way she lived her life on Earth, facing each day with a God-given balance of tenderness and strength while extending kindness and love to anyone she encountered.

Elvia was a selfless mother of three, and a steadfast friend to many. She was intelligent and hardworking, holding a law degree from La Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico and working as an administrative assistant at Bentonville High School for many years.

In her free time, she enjoyed being with loved ones, going on bike rides and dreaming up ways to design interior spaces, just like the popular TV show “Fixer Upper.”

Elvia is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Apreza Garcia and Carmen Vences de Apreza; and one brother, Alejandro Apreza.

She is survived by her son, Zack Demaree of Bentonville, Ark.; daughters, Natalie Demaree and Adele Demaree of Bentonville, Ark.; brothers, Javier Apreza and Jose Luis Apreza of Toluca, Mexico; and sister, Rosy Apreza of Toluca, Mexico.

Our mom’s joy, warmth and wisdom will be deeply missed, but we rejoice in the fact that she’s no longer in pain nor will she ever have to endure any pain again. We’d like to thank the team at Highlands Oncology for their care of our precious mom, as well as our community who’s faithfully loved our family through prayer and generosity, especially in the last two years.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Rogers with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you’d consider donating to the American Cancer Society.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com