The following obituaries appeared in the December 19, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Judith Elaine “Judy” Roberts, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2018, surrounded by her husband of 53 years and her loving children. After struggling with diabetes for decades Judy surprised us all by having a sudden heart attack while watching the holiday movie Christmas Vacation with Jerry by her side (a family tradition). She was transported to the ICU, where she remained unconscious while her children gathered then peacefully returned home to the loving arms of her parents and her Savior.
Judy was born in Portland, Oregon on April 12, 1943 to Wellington Casper “Bill” Phelps and Florence Ella “Polly” Parker. After a wonderful childhood in Oregon, Judy traveled to Provo, Utah to attend BYU where she met the love of her life, Jerry Lee Roberts. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 8, 1965 and spent the next 20 years in Afton, Wyoming where all five of their children were born. In 1985 they relocated to St. George, Utah where they reside today. While her passing was so unexpected, as we were just vacationing with her in Mexico over Thanksgiving, we know that she was ready, more than any of us, to return home. We are so grateful for these last 10-15 years that she worked so hard for, battling her diabetes and all that it brings with it, in order to spend more time with her children and their families.
Judy is survived by her husband, Jerry; children Craig, Cory (Francisca “Kika”), Trina Morrison, Tara (Joseph “Joe”) Jorgensen, Tawna (Adam) Chesley; 13 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at the River Ridge Chapel, 2434 Riverside Dr, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday, December 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd and Saturday, prior to services from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Please visit our website at www.metcalfmortuary.com for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.
Kenneth Farnham Call, 80, returned to his Heavenly Father peacefully in his home in Afton, Wyoming surrounded by loved ones on December 8, 2018. He was born in Sacramento, California on March 26, 1938 to Lamoni Farnham Call and Dora McCann Call. He had three sisters, Carol Call Heap, Rosalee Call, and Deanne Call Wright and one brother, Ronald Call. At the age of five his family moved to Afton, Wyoming where his father had been born. He attended Afton Elementary and graduated from Star Valley High School in 1956. He met his sweetheart, Shaire, while walking the old pipe up Swift Creek Canyon. They were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 18, 1961. Together they had four children; Terry, Jeana, Kristi, and Garry. He was a patient, gentle, kind, loving husband and father. He worked for Thiokol, by Brigham City, drafting the Minute Man Missile. Then they moved to Afton where he worked for CallAir drafting about 95% of the CallAir agriculture airplanes. He designed and drew the plans for the Red Baron Drive-In and several Maverik gas stations. He wired the Afton Tabernacle when it was remodeled and the old Star Valley High School building. When CallAir sold out he began working for the Lower Valley Power and Light (now Lower Valley Energy) as an engineer for 29 years until he was in a car accident and became disabled from brain damage. He then enjoyed being at home and spending time with his grandchildren. Kenny had many hobbies including building model r/c airplanes and an r/c gas powered car and boat. He liked little children, trains, planes, race cars, snowmobiling, boating, being outdoors, photography, and traveling around most of the United States. He was very friendly to all those around him and well liked. He was always serving others around him, especially the elderly, by fixing their vehicles or appliances or shoveling snow out of driveways as needed.
He held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including ward clerk to six different bishops and stake clerk to two different stake presidents. In his later years he enjoyed going faithfully to the temple with his wife, Shaire, twice a week in the Star Valley Temple. He is survived by his wife, Shaire; four children, Terry Call of Pocatello, Jeana (David) Call of Saratoga Springs, Utah, Kristi (Donald) Staley of Afton, and Garry (Tiffany) Call of Rio Vista, California; 10 grandchildren; and one brother, Ron Call of Providence, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents Lamoni and Dora Call, sisters Rosalee, Deanne, and then Carol. Funeral services were held on Saturday December 15 in the Afton 2nd Ward Tabernacle and buried in the Afton Cemetery.
Margaret Ann Betts Blackburn, age 75, peacefully passed away in her home, Saturday, December 15, 2018. Margaret was born on July 23, 1943, the eldest of seven children born to William Laney Betts and Margaret Ann Fox. Margaret was a good student. In high school she majored in home economics and business. In 1961 she graduated from Baldwin Park High School with honors. After finishing three semesters of college at Weber State, Margaret’s bishop encouraged her to go on a mission. In 1965 Margaret was called to serve an 18 month mission in the Alaskan Canadian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Margaret earned her Golden Gleamer award in 1968. She graduated from institute in 1969. Later that same year she was married for time and all eternity to Larry David Blackburn in the Salt Lake Temple. Margaret and David are the parents of seven children. Margaret and her husband were blessed to be able to serve a six month mission to Eugene, Oregon in 2012. They served as ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls Temple and the Star Valley Temple. While living in Star Valley, Margaret worked at the Auburn post office and Star Valley hospital. She was a respite care worker and retired from the Lincoln County School District. Margaret is survived in death by her sisters, Nona Mae Huffman, Ruth Leone Williams. Her brothers, William Fox Betts, Paul Fox Betts, Steven Fox Betts. Her husband of 49 years, Larry David Blackburn and her seven children, Corey (ReAnne, divorced), Karen (David) Bullard, James (Rebecca), Jenny (George, divorced) Redmon, Jerry (Julie), Larry, and Kevin (Rebecca). 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her brother David Fox Betts, her grandson Trevor James Blackburn and her parents. The funeral service for Margaret Ann Betts Blackburn will be held Friday, December 21 at 11:00 a.m. in the Auburn chapel. Public viewings will be held at Schwab Mortuary on Thursday December 20, from 6-8 p.m. and Friday December 21, 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the Auburn chapel.
Maurine Averett Moser, 101, formerly of Afton, passed away on December 14, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday December 22, 2018 in Phoenix. She will be laid to rest in Afton Wyoming Cemetery in January. Maurine was born in Lovell, Wyoming to Charles and Leona Wilcock Averett on August 16, 1917. She grew up in Cowley, Wyoming. She married John Wilford Moser in August 1937 in the Salt Lake City Temple. She attended the University of Wyoming and graduated from Utah State University in Education. She taught school in Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho. She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an outstanding educator. Maurine was preceded in death by her husband, John Wilford Moser, her parents and step father Lloyd Fowler, her daughter Charlyn Moser, granddaughter, Heather Tarollo, great great grandson Wyatt Lamason, and brothers Eugene and Clair Averett and sister Helen Averett Low. She is survived by her children, Judith McGavin, Marsha Grajek, Diana (Michael) Martinez, Kaylyn Moser, and Jonathan (Jane) Moser. She is also survived by her brother Charles Averett, 13 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Maurine loved the Lord and was faithful up to day she died. She attended tithing settlement just the week prior to her death. She loved her family and many friends.
Rama White Cheney stepped gracefully through the veil, into the arms of her anxiously waiting parents Hilda and Myron White, sister, Klea White, and grandson Wyatt Cheney, on December 12, 2018. Her faithful and devoted husband, Delbert Cheney of 54 years cared for her with unbounded love and devotion to her last moment in life, giving her the wish of her heart to never leave her Star Valley Home.
Rama was born October 6, 1941 in Afton, Wyoming. She lived a life full of music, dance and creativity. As a youth she was active in mutual, and loved Harvest Balls. She attended Ricks College where she was a Vikadette and sang in A Cappella Choir. There she met Delbert LaMar Cheney of Archer, Idaho while they were attending Ricks College. After graduating, she attended BYU while he served a mission. Rama and Delbert were married, and sealed for eternity on July 29, 1964 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Rama and Delbert had many businesses in Star Valley. The one she is most well-known for is Cheney’s Wedding Decorating. She loved to create beauty in all she strived to do. Rama served in various callings throughout her life in the Primary and Relief Society. Her last calling was to the nursery. She loved little children and could coax them away from their tears and sorrows. Most of all, Rama treasured her solid and resounding testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and the blessings of family. Delbert and Rama served two missions together for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington D.C. There they served as ordinance workers in the temple as well as grounds and construction crew. Most of all, Rama loved serving in the temple, both in Idaho Falls and in Washington D.C. Rama suffered from age-related illness, but she never failed to give you a hug and tell you she loved you. She was living in her home in Thayne, when she passed away, close to her husband, in her own home, under the shadow of her Haystack Rama is survived by her beloved spouse, Delbert Cheney, their six children: Paul (Joni) Cheney, Jayna (Dallen) Smith, Desiree (Jeff) Collings, Justin (Leni) Cheney, Sharina (Barry) Beutler, and Markay (Emily) Cheney; 29 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and her siblings, Nada Fluckiger, Klea White, Reldon White, Gordon White and Vona Hunsaker. A viewing will be held on Monday, December 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Thayne LDS Chapel. The funeral will be held in the Thayne LDS Chapel on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 12 p.m. with a viewing prior to the funeral service from 10:00 – 11:45 a.m. Her mortal body will be lovingly laid to rest next to her parents in the Thayne Cemetery to await the Resurrection.
