Verna Garrett

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Verna Carroll Jacobson Garrett (91) on April 5, 2024. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who lived a full and selfless life. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Verna was born September 6, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Willis Little Jacobson and Martha Ann Carroll. She married Clive Wayne Garrett on September 4, 1953, in the Salt Lake City temple and they lived more than 70 years together raising their beautiful family. She died peacefully at home on April 5, 2024, in Washington, Utah surrounded by family. Verna has joined her parents in heaven, along with her sister, Margaret Ann Jacobson, and daughter, Melanie Edith Garrett. She is survived by her husband C. Wayne Garrett and her five living children: Lorie (Michael) Eggett, Bryant (Julee) Garrett, Kyle (Danette) Garrett, Carolynne (Stephen) Huggins, and Matthew (Kati) Garrett.

Born and raised in the Salt Lake Valley, she attended Jordan High School and graduated in 1949. She started college at Brigham Young University and then transferred to the University of Utah to attend their nursing program. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree and her nurse's training certificate in 1953.

Verna was a woman of many talents, interests, and abilities. She had a lifelong love of sewing, crafting, crocheting, and quilting among other interests. She was an accomplished 'culinary artist on a shoestring'. She was known for her jams, jellies, canned fruits, vegetables, and (infamously) her pickled watermelon rinds. She was also well known for her "round pickle sandwiches", aptly named because of her homemade bread baked in Hi-C cans with homemade dill pickles sliced the long way. Her talents in cooking and canning were a true expression of her nurturing side and creative spirit, as well as her desire to help stretch the family budget.

Verna was also an accomplished seamstress, earning awards in 4-H and county fairs. She was resourceful and creative in her sewing projects, sewing for fun, pleasure, and often for necessity. She created bedspreads from work trousers, Barbie doll clothes out of scraps, scalloped edged curtains traced from salad plates, and most of the time, her efforts went to providing nice clothes for the family. This labor of love was not always appreciated by her children until much, much later in life. ;-)

Verna's passion for serving others was something she carried with her throughout her life. She loved her Heavenly Father and had a strong testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was highly involved in church service and held various positions throughout her lifetime, including Relief Society President, Primary Secretary, RS Cultural Refinement teacher, and many other positions that culminated for her in serving as a shift coordinator at the Orlando Florida Temple. Verna was a woman of great faith and dedication, evident in the three full-time missions she served with her husband, Wayne. They served together in the Salt Lake Family History Center, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and Detroit, Michigan, where they served faithfully and made a positive, lasting impression on countless lives.

Verna was a kind and considerate person who put others before herself. Her warm smile and kind demeanor brought joy to all around her. She was a devoted wife to her husband and a loving mother to her children, 17 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Her family and her religion were the center of her world, and she cherished the moments spent serving them both. Verna's passing leaves a void in the lives of all who knew her; her love, kindness, and humor will continue to influence and motivate all who knew her.

On behalf of her children, we would like to thank the staff at Primrose Assisted Living for their service, friendship, support, and love for Mom and Dad. We would also like to share our appreciation with Suntree Home Care and Hospice for their exceptional care, thoughtfulness, and attention. The assistance, support, and personal care from both facilities provided to Mom, Dad, and our family during this difficult time meant more than can be said.

We are comforted in the knowledge that our dear mother is safe in the arms of our Heavenly Father and is reunited with family and dear ones who have been waiting for her to join them. Mom, your tireless love, service, and lifelong example ensure you will always live on in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Verna on April 15, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Primrose Assisted Living Center, 5190 S Washington Fields Rd. Washington, Utah.

A graveside service will be held on April 19, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 W. 4100 S, West Valley City, Utah 84120.

In lieu of flowers, donations to LDS Humanitarian Services would be appreciated. https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Verna's online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com