Afton Lovell Pettegrew Wilkins

Farmington, UT, Our incredibly talented and loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many, Afton Wilkins passed away February 2, 2016 of natural causes.  She will be dearly missed by those who knew her.

Afton was born in the small rural town of Oak City, Utah on May 14, 1932 to Myrtle and Milton Lovell, the youngest of eight children. Surrounded by the majesties of nature in this tiny town she developed a great love and appreciation for the kind and gentle people who worked tirelessly on their small farms and often became the subject of her many stories. Writing was one of her many gifts. Her first book, "Warts and All," a collection of her childhood memories, brought to life her experiences and gratitude for the small joys in life. She worked long and hard on her many stories and in 2013, at the age of 80, she won the prestigious Utah Arts First Place Award in autobiographical history for her story about her life during WW ll. Writing fed her soul and she was often up in the wee hours of the morning working on her next publication, which she felt was her mission in life.

Full of love, light, and adventure, she was the mother of six active children with whom she shared her strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She led by her example of service, often taking families under her wing with endless projects of selfless compassion. No one ever left her home hungry, lonely, or afraid as she took to heart the scripture: Matthew 25:40 “In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Studying the scriptures was her foundation and she could often be found reading and rereading the stories within their pages, then sharing and discussing what she learned each day with her children. A gifted teacher, she opened the minds of many in her various church callings to the joys the gospel could bring to them.

Afton loved adventure and traveled the world. Europe, Japan, China, Israel or South Africa, she wanted to see it all and found a way to make that happen. Returning with material for her stories and tales of relatives she had met in faraway places she found the time and money for the next experience by cleaning houses, making draperies, and working in the Salt Lake City library system for many years.

She and her husband, George Wilkins, completed a service mission in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building doing extraction work.  With help from her dear friend, Joseph Nishimoto, she complied five hundred family names for temple work.  Serving in the Bountiful Temple as an ordinance worker for many years brought Afton joy and many lasting friendships. Her strong spirit, unfailing testimony, and loving example of compassion are her lasting legacy to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many dear friends.

Survived by her children Joseph (Lisa) Pettegrew, Gail, (Alma) Newman, David (Elise) Pettegrew, Daniel Pettegrew, Ruth (Matt) Jamieson, and Stephen (Rhonda) Pettegrew; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Afton is preceded in death by her prior husband Donald Pettegrew, and husband George Wilkins. Her parents Milton and Myrtle Lovell, her seven siblings Max, Eldon, Ray, Marie, Dean, LaVean, and Clead.

Friends and family may visit Russon Brothers Mortuary 1941 North Main Street Farmington, UT from 6-8 pm, on Friday, February 5, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am. Saturday, February 6, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Farmington Shepard Creek Ward 1533 North 1075 West Farmington, Utah with a viewing from 9:45-10:45 a.m.