Marvella Freestone White Obituary (1926 - 2020)

Graveside services for Marvella White will be broadcast live on Thursday, November 5, 2020 beginning at 12:45 PM. To watch this service, please click on the link below. Click HERE to view Graveside Services for Marvella White Our loving mother and grandmother was born March 15, 1926 in Vernal, Utah to William (Brosowski) Brown and Fontella (Radmall) LeBeau. Marvella lost her mother when she was five years old and was legally adopted by her Aunt Elmadie and Uncle Lou Freestone, but was mostly raised under the care of her loving grandmother Caroline LeBeau. Her early life was spent learning the value of hard work while growing up during The Great Depression and World War II, especially on a farm and cattle-ranch. This work ethic continued throughout her entire life, earning her a full scholarship to Westminster College after she graduated from Uintah High School in 1945. Marvella had boundless energy and an exceptional talent for drawing, painting and sculpting. She attended the University of Utah, majoring in Fine Arts and Sculpting with a minor in Crafts and another minor in Biological Science. She eventually was rewarded with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, which entitled her to teach in any high school. Still unsatisfied, she went back to night school and every Summer following until she earned a degree certifying her to teach any subject in elementary school. During her twenty-seven years at the Granite School District, she was constantly striving to be a better teacher for her students and therefore continued her training and education to include credits in English, reading development, specialized math, creative arts and a secondary education teaching certificate. Never one to be idle with her time, Marvella didn’t only teach elementary and secondary school, but also bought low income properties as investment income. She spent most of her holidays and vacation time cleaning and renovating her rental properties for the next occupants. She did this without the financial assistance of others by living on a budget, avoiding debt and a life of ease and comfort. Marvella loved our Savior, Jesus Christ and was a woman of strong faith who believed in the power of prayer. She was a generous person, who donated to many charities and lived a gospel-centered life. Her other hobbies included writing poetry, gardening and tending to her many flowerbeds, camping, and, most of all, dancing at the Terrace Ballroom with her husband and the love of her life, Elwood. She was a kind and loving mother to her three children, Connie, Paul and Karin. Her heart and home always include her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was never without a dog by her side – they were her lifetime companions. Marvella returned to her Heavenly Father on November 2, 2020. She has now joined her loving husband, Elwood, her dearly-loved son, Paul, her beautiful mother, Fontella, her beloved grandmother Caroline, her dearest grandson, Sunny, and countless other loved ones who are there to welcome her into their Heavenly arms. She is survived by her remaining children: Connie (Brent) Pendleton and Karin (Chris) Paras, 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.