Grandma's...

We've been thinking a lot about Grandma's in our house this week. On Tuesday afternoon, Tim's Grandma, Ida Smith Church, passed away. She was 91 years old and had been waiting for the last few years to go home and be with Tim's Grandpa and their son, Johnny, who passed away many, many years ago. We are sad about her not being here with us, but we know she is happy to be reunited with her family and friends who have already passed on. She was a wonderful woman and we will miss her! We look forward to having her greet us again someday!!

Ida Smith Church
Ida Smith Church, 91, of Mesa, AZ passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home March 4, 2008.
She was born in Hunt, AZ, May 9,1916 to Asahel Henry and Pauline Udall Smith. She was raised in Snowflake, AZ and graduated with a teaching degree from Arizona Teachers College (now NAU) in Flagstaff where she met her husband, Howard Bailey Church.

Ida was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in many church positions. She offered love and service to so many people and enriched their lives as a result of her
remarkable gift of music. She and her sweetheart served a mission in the Seattle Temple in 1980-1981 and enjoyed the wonderful associations they made during that time.

Ida was preceded in death by her young son, John Henry Church, and her beloved husband Howard Bailey Church, having been married for 61 wonderful years. She is survived by a son, Robert Howard Church of Mesa, AZ; daughters Catherine Whitmer of Elfrida, AZ; Emily Mclaws Despain of Sandy, UT; Elaine Carter of Orem, UT; Gloria Baldwin, Norma Hastings, Donna Flaherty all of Gilbert, AZ; Debbie Nuckles of St. George, UT and 52 grandchildren, 107 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.

Here is Tim along with his Grandma, Mom, and Jensen in May 2006 on his Grandma's 90th birthday.

I've also been thinking a lot about my Grandma Jones, who passed away 4 years ago tomorrow. I always go to the cemetary on her birthday, the day she died, and Mother's Day and it is always such a relaxing moment for me. I love the peacefulness that is there, and I also like seeing the different decorations on graves around hers, and how they change. Kind of silly, I know, but I think it's something that she probably would have noticed. Who has what flowers and what kind of trinkets are there??? She loved little figurines so I always try and find something little that I can leave along with the flowers that I bring. She was such a wonderful person, and I am often reminded of funny things she used to say and do. I remember her always wanting someone to "sweep the walks" (sweep the dirt off the outside sidewalks) and fixing cubes of cheese and grapes for my kids when they would come over to play and then telling me how kids always like cheese and grapes. :) Grandma's are so important during childhood and I was blessed to have two of the most wonderful ones on Earth! I am grateful for all the things they have taught me and I look forward to the day I get to see them again!

Here is Jensen and Grandma Jones on Halloween 2002.

And again on Halloween 2003.