Alma Nuttall

Alma Woolsey Nuttall, 101, of Safford, passed away July 8, 2016. Alma was born in Lebanon, Arizona on May 28, 1915, the 9th of 11 children born to Arthur and Permelia Woolsey. At the age of seven her mother died in childbirth. About one year later her father married Etta Nuttall, a widow with four children. Alma loved and respected Etta as if she was her birth mother. Alma lived in Cactus and Safford and attended school in Safford. On July 4, 1933, Alma married Joseph Heber Nuttall. Their first child, Velma Jeannine, was born February 10, 1934 in Grandma and Grandpa Woolsey's house on Lone Star road. Jeannine was followed by Lois. The family moved to Mesa and then to Miami where Heber worked for the Inspiration Mine. Their third child, Clint, was born in Miami. During World War II Alma and Heber relocated to Whittier, California to work in the shipyard. Their fourth child, Brooks was born while they lived there. The family moved back to Safford where Heber was the manager of the Safford, Packing Company for 25 years. Alma and Heber were able to be sealed together in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on January 2, 1978. Over the years Alma crocheted many afghans, toys, Christmas stockings, doilies and other special things. One year she crocheted 17 afghans. She loved to do bead work creating chokers and other beaded items over the years. At 99 years old she was still actively making beaded necklaces. Alma spent the last few years living at Haven of Safford where she enjoyed sharing her talents with the other residents and teaching many of them beading and other crafts to keep the minds active and their hands busy. Alma was active in many organizations including the VFW and Mt. Graham Ladies Golf Association. She enjoyed arts and crafts, golf, writing poetry, singing, dancing and rock hounding. Alma is survived by her daughter Lois Reay, and sons Clint and Brooks Nuttall, eighteen Grandchildren, forty-one Great Grandchildren and 35 Great-Great Grandchildren. Alma was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Permelia Woolsey, her siblings, her husband Heber, daughter Jeannine and grandsons Brian Luke Reay and Steven Lee Nuttall. Services for Alma will begin with a viewing on Saturday, July 16th at 2:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Safford Stake Center. Interment will be in the Safford Cemetery.