Vernelle Reed

Vernelle was born January 4, 1920 in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico to John A. Whetten and Ida E. Jesperson and passed away on July 8, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She lived in the Mormon Colonies until she was 17 surrounded by a large family of 16 brothers and sisters. The family was poor but happy and because of their many challenges and tribulations remained close throughout their lives. She was the tenth child of John and Ida and was often reminded she was the tithing child. If the Bishop appeared on the scene she would try and hide as her dad would say "Bishop, this one is yours. This is number 10; she belongs to the church. She described her early years as filled with joy and happiness but a lot of work. With so many mouths to feed, everyone had chores. She always believed that her mother and the Lord planned that work. She loved to read and couldn't leave books alone, even hiding so she could read. Work needed to be done and she was off reading. She received many scoldings but it was still worth it. Vernelle studied at Arizona State Teacher's College in Tempe, graduating with a bachelor's degree and teaching certificate. She later taught elementary school in Safford. She met her future husband LaVor during her college years where they both graduated from college in June of 1941. They were married on August 17, 1941 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They moved to Snowflake where LaVor taught school and then in 1944 they moved to Safford. Vernelle and LaVor were happy and led very productive lives in the Gila Valley while he taught school at Safford and at Gila College in Thatcher. He was teaching and practicing accounting at night when Vernelle encouraged him to open up his own accounting office and become a full time accountant. The rest is history. Vernelle was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings in Relief Society, Primary, Sunday School and Young Women's organization. She was active in the community serving as the coordinator of the annual Christmas Tree festival for many years. She also produced and directed a community play. She served as the Home Economics coordinator for the Graham County Fair for ten years. She was an avid quilter and gardener. She loved making quilts and always had a quilt ready for the birth of a grandchild and for their wedding. Her entire life she cared for and nurtured beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. At 90 she was still delivering vegetables to the widows living in Artesia. She and LaVor served as temple workers in the Mesa Arizona Temple and served a mission in the Peoria, Illinois Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is survived by her four children, Whetten (Diana) Reed, Karen Reed, James (April) Reed, Laura (Kevin) Swider, a brother Carl (Viva) Whetten, and two sisters-in-law, Virginia Whetten and Madge Reed. She has 10 grandchildren, and 31 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband LaVor, grandson John Whetten Reed, granddaughter Tanya Reed Lindquist and great granddaughter Breanna Lindquist. A viewing for Vernelle Reed will be held on Friday July 15th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mt. Graham Chapel at 3722 S. US Hwy 191, Safford, AZ from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday July 16th. Funeral Services will be held Saturday July 16th at the same location at 3:00 p.m. with interment in the Artesia Cemetery.