Vera May Pinson

On May 20th, 1920, Vera was born the eighth child out of eleven, on a farm in Dayton Idaho. Her parents, Frank and Vinnie Kirkbride, were honest, hardworking, and loving. They taught their children to serve the lord, and stay steadfast with that conviction.

From her father she learned the lesson of giving, and as grandkids, we were oft times the beneficiary of that virtue. By simply “admiring” an item in grandma’s house, we no doubt went home with it in our pocket.

From her mother she learned to work hard without complaint. My mother remembers summer mornings, where she and her siblings were awakened to the voice of grandma singing “Lazy Mary will you get up.” Then covers were jerked, the troops were rallied, and off to the bean fields they’d go, with grandma in the lead. Grandma’s house was always neat as a pin, and as recently as last year, you’d still catch her lifting the furniture to vacuum under it.

In 1939 she married the handsome Donald Henry Pinson. They shared 63 years of life together, and were the original models for “opposites attract.”  Don and Vera were alike only in their feistiness, and though not what you’d call wedded bliss, they were nonetheless dedicated to their family. Grandpa passed in 2002, so he’s had time in heaven to prepare for her. And though grandma might too require her stubborn edges softened, we are confident the clarity of that existence will bring peace and perhaps joy to the pair of them.

Although family ranked first, she had several other areas she took pride in. Included in these were numerous church callings. She held leadership positions in Primary, Young Womens, and Relief Society. She also served in the Logan temple for 10 years, stopping only because of vision complications. She thoroughly enjoyed working for “Todd’s Hallmark,” in the Cache Valley Mall, and thanks to that, each of us grandkids has a wonderful collection of ornaments. She was heavily involved in the humanitarian project within the church welfare system, sewing hundreds of quilts. As her eyesight failed, she’d just offer up a prayer to get the needle to thread, and then stick it right through the eye.

Vera is survived by her children, Bonnie (Alma) Winward, Kathy (Ron) Rasmussen, Addie (Paul) Smith, Quin (Janet) Pinson and Patty (Mark) Sprunt. She is also survived by 70 grandchildren, great, and great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don, by her grandson Blake, and by 3 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 17, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main, in Farmington.  Family and friends may call Thursday, July 16 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday prior to the services at the mortuary.  Interment – Smithfield City Cemetery.