Grace Inez McNeil Whitaker

Grace Inez McNeil Whitaker passed away on May 3rd, 2016 surrounded by her family. Grace was born September 11th 1926 in La Bell, Idaho. Grace went to school in a one room school house until she was twelve years old. At thirteen she moved and became a nanny so she could attend a more formal school in Rigby, Idaho. At eighteen she graduated from Idaho Falls High School. Grace then went to telegraphy school and started a lifelong career with Western Union.
She married Frank Wallace Whitaker on November 27th, 1946. They were later sealed in the Logan Utah Temple in the fall of 1957. They lived on small farm in a one room house in Burley Idaho. Life was hard for them but they were happy as long as they were together.
Grace and her husband, Frank, loved to travel. They took many trips with family and friends across the country. They served over a dozen Family History Preservation Missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From Hawaii to the Carolina's, Grace and Frank captured thousands of documents and images for use in genealogy work. They used a heavy camera with film. Grace would prepare the documents and Frank would complete the photography. They had a very low rejection rate, which was amazing considering the laborious work. Many of the documents they captured are being digitized for today's use. They made many friends in many places doing the Lord's work. Government officials learned to love and placed the utmost trust in them. They would be given keys to court houses and government facilities and told to come and go as they pleased. Grace said that Frank could use the Spirit to persuade anyone to assist in the Lord's work.
Frank passed away on March 29, 2014.
Grace, aka, Grandma Grace, loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. She was always giving or sending gum to them wherever they were. They had her wrapped around there little fingers and they could get a treat or full meal just by smiling at her. She loved those smiles and hugs. When they moved all over the country, she would call or Skype with them as often as she could.
Grace truly endured to the end. She suffered constant pain in the last years of her life. She longed to be reunited with her eternal companion Frank. With a smile on her face, she passed into his loving arms.
She was a loving wife and mother. Grace and Frank had three wonderful children who survive her. Patricia [Dennis] Killian, Joy [David] Williams and Frank Neil [Jill] Whitaker. She is also survived by one sister, Shirley Murphy, a brother and sister in law, Earnest and Joann McNeil. She also leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren, the love of her life.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who cared for Grace, especially South Davis Hospice. Her final days were pain free and this was a comfort to the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humanitarian or Missionary funds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be appreciated, so that the Lord's work can continue to reach all over the World.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Bountiful 18th Ward, 165 South 1000 East, Bountiful, with a viewing from 11:30 am – 12:45 pm prior to services. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.