Elida Rae Jolley

Elida Rae Anderson Jolley, 95, passed away on July 3, 2013, in St. George, Utah, after many years of embracing both the joys and challenges of age with grace and good cheer. Born on July 11, 1917, in Afton, Star Valley, Wyoming to Andrew William Anderson and Ila Fern Larsen Anderson, Rae grew to young adulthood in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. During these years she took piano, mandolin, and saxophone lessons, became well known for her dramatic readings, played piano with a dance band, enjoyed riding horses bareback, and loved to roller skate and dance in the open air at the Moonwinks pavilion. She and her family spent many summers in a one-room log cabin on their homestead near Scofield in Carbon County. Rae attended BYU and graduated in Drama and English in 1938, then taught elementary school for two years. In 1940 she married Udell Jolley, whom she had met at BYU, in Greenville, Mississippi, and they lived in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, for several years. Their daughters Linda Rae and JoAnn were born during this time. Two more children, Sharon Kay and David Brian, joined the family after their move to the San Francisco Bay Area. As a full-time homemaker, Rae served her family with love and great pride in their accomplishments. She became an expert cook, widely known for her delectable canned and baked goods, and an exceptional seamstress. In her middle age she learned to knit and loved creating countless sweaters, Afghans, and other beautiful handwork for family and friends. In their retirement years, Rae and Udell traveled the world and went from one exciting adventure to another. After Udell passed away in 1984, she continued to travel on a more limited scale. 1987 brought significant changes when Rae moved from California to St. George, Utah, where she developed a circle of close friends and enjoyed many social and cultural opportunities. Even while dealing with a host of trials and challenges, she was admired for her radiant smile and optimistic attitude. Throughout her life she was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings in the Primary, Relief Society, Sunday School, and ward library. She also fulfilled a successful member-locator mission and attended the temple regularly. Rae is survived by three of her four children, Linda, JoAnn, and David; a beloved grandson, Sean Phillip Jolley; and her youngest brother, Bob (Donna). Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and daughter Sharon, as well as her brothers Don, Bill, and Bruce and many dear friends. Funeral services honoring Rae’s life will be held in St. George at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10 at the Morningside Stake Center (900 South and River Road), with viewings at the church on Tuesday, July 9 from 6-8 p.m. and prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. She will be buried in the St. George City Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.SereniCareofStGeorge.com. Arrangements are under the direction of SereniCare Funeral Home St. George, UT 986-2085.

Elida Rae Jolley

July 11, 1917 - July 3, 2013