Esther Stephens

Morgan a�" Esther Randall Stephens, age 93, passed away October 13, 2011.

She was born August 21, 1918 to Melvin Howard and Amy Laura Peterson Randall in Morgan, Utah.

She was a lifelong resident of Morgan where she attended the public schools graduating from Morgan Stake LDS Seminary and Morgan High School.

She married Roy Samuel Stephens in the Salt Lake Temple September 8, 1944. Their life together here on earth was short as he passed away August 24, 1950 leaving her to raise their four small children alone. They had been blessed with twin sons, Calvin and Melvin, and daughters Coleen and Eileen. Her responsibilities seemed almost insurmountable, but with great devotion, a strong will and great faith in the Lord, she lovingly held her four small children close and pressed forward. She will ever be remembered by her posterity as a mother and grandmother who gave her all to her family and to her faith in Jesus Christ and faced all life's challenges with courage and determination to endure faithfully to the end of mortality.

She served in numerous church callings, in the Primary, Mutual and Sunday School and was noted for her gift and talent in playing the organ and piano. Most of her life she played the organ in her ward, along with playing for funerals and weddings. She could accompany any singer(s) on a moments notice. She also played for the dance couples for the floor show for the Gold & Green Ball.

She has lovingly and with skilled hands knitted and crocheted afghans and sweaters for her children and grandchildren. Her embroidery work was always done with perfection in every stitch.

Out of necessity to care for her children, she went to work for Utah Poultry of Morgan, Utah General Depot of Ogden and then Hill Air Force Base where she worked until she retired.

She always wanted to just be at home with her family and her family will cherish the memories of hot-out-of-the-oven homemade bread and raisin filled cookies.

She has now gone onward leaving a legacy of righteousness and her strong testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ for her family. She is survived by her son Calvin (Lynette) Stephens and her daughters Coleen (Darrel) Turner and Eileen (Lee) Nelson, 14 grandchildren , 37 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She is also survived by her sister Eva Giles and sister-in-law Jeanice Randall.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, son Melvin, her parents, five sisters and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 11:00 am at the LDS 12th Ward building (Rock Church), 10 West Young St., Morgan, UT with a viewing to be held Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 6-8 pm at the Walker Mortuary 45 W. 200 N. Morgan, UT and Monday, October 17 from 9:45 to 10:45 at the church.

Interment, South Morgan Cemetery.