Vera May Owens White Obituary (1927 - 2017)

Vera May Owens White passed away peacefully, but yet unexpectedly at home on January 9, 2017. Vera was born May 26, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Edwin and Emily Mares Owens. Graduated from West High School in 1944, married the love of her life, Joseph Richard White on August 16, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. Vera and Joe lived the first 70 years of life in the Poplar Grove area of Salt Lake City, until relocating to South Jordan in 1997 to be closer to their children. Vera was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in many callings throughout her life, but especially loved teaching Primary Classes. She also loved being a Visiting Teacher and sharing the love of the sisters in her ward. Vera and her late husband Joe loved to travel and see the world. They especially loved Hawaii and traveled there often before age and health made the trip a little too hard. One of her favorite trips was to England, where she was able to retrace and find her family roots and connect with relatives that "lived across the pond". Vera loved to read. Books were her escape to times and places where only your imagination can take you. She loved to tell stories and share her observations of life and adventures with family and friends. Every day was the beginning of a new story. Most importantly, Vera loved her family. She was the Matriarch and Queen of her large extended family and treasured each individual as a trophy earned in life. She was always very proud of them and loved them beyond what words could say. Vera chose not to have any "in-laws", so the posterity that survive her include 6 natural children and 6 married children Sandra & Lynn Handy, Joseph R. & Linda White, Emily & Richard Hassell, Charlotte & Mark Kranendonk, Steven B. & Shirley White, Vera & Kelly Baumgartner; Also, 52 Grandchildren; 68 Great Grandchildren. She is also survived by her special big sister June Bailey and numerous nephews and nieces and very special friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, her son Alfred Edwin, her daughter Valorie Ann, her parents, her brother Melvin Owens, as well as, 2 brothers, 4 sisters and their spouses of her late husband Joe. The Family would like to extend special thanks to the many care providers that came to her home to help her this past year, especially Jalene Richens whom she loved dearly. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday January 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the River Ridge 6th Ward Chapel, 10124 South 1300 West, South Jordan, Utah 84095. The Family will receive friends at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, Utah, Tuesday January 17, 2017 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm and Wednesday from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at the Ward House. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095