A valve assembly includes a self-contained, packing removal means for removing the valve packing. The valve assembly includes a valve stem connected at one end to a valve, a bonnet for mounting the valve stem on a valve body having a valve seat engageable with said valve on said valve stem, and means for raising and lowering said valve stem to selectively open and close said valve. The bonnet includes a packing chamber through which an intermediate portion of the valve stem extends. The packing removal means comprises a radially displaceable lifting element disposed within the valve stem and movable to an extended position where it engages the packing assembly from underneath upon operation of the valve stem to lift the valve packing from the packing chamber.