1 Passing of Connie Cleverly

Connie Moss Cleverly [1926~2012]

Obituary in the Deseret News, March 14 and 15

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Connie Moss Cleverly, age 85, passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia Monday, March 12, 2012 at 1:32 pm.

She was born on May 24, 1926 in Woods Cross, Utah to Walter Henry Moss and Blanche Cahoon Moss. After waiting for Jimmy to complete his wartime service to our country, she married her grade school sweetheart and eternal companion, Jimmy Cleverly, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they raised a beautiful family of two boys and six girls.

Mom was the ultimate earthly example of service to her family and neighbors, showing kindness to all, these qualities defined who she was. Many described her as an angel on earth. Mom loved to be with her family and supported them in all their endeavors. She was our confidant, example, counselor, encourager, and greatest source of support and trust. She so willingly gave all she had and kept so little for herself. She was gracious and appreciative for the blessings of life. She attended every child's and grandchild's sporting events, tended grandchildren, was the local taxi service, couriered forgotten items to those in need, rendered compassionate service to friends and neighbors, and tucked her own young children in with bed time stories that sometimes had a peculiar ending. The positive effect of her selfless service will remain with us forever. Through the years many neighborhood children thought they had three grandmothers, their own and Connie. She was a GRANDIOSE grandmother who was bigger than life. She had "grandma sleep overs" for her 30 grandchildren, knew all of their favorite treats, not only invented but participated in the sock wars, treasure hunts, night games, fireworks, and every other imaginable source of wholesome fun that would promote family unity.

One of her most cherished accomplishments were her 12 years of perfect on time attendance during her elementary, secondary and high school years, for which she was awarded a collegiate dictionary inscribed with the details of her scholastic accomplishment.

In keeping with her life of service, she enjoyed playing the piano and was Primary pianist for over 25 years. She was always happy to share and teach songs to young Primary children. Being Jimmy's biggest basketball fan taught her to love the game of basketball, which made her conversion very natural to being one of the most loyal Jazz and BYU fans in the state.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children; Gary (Jill) Cleverly of West Valley, Alan (Caiqing) Cleverly of Bountiful, Brenda (Bob) Brisko of North Salt Lake, Karla (Lance) Hamner of Franklin, IN, Ellen (Boyd) Clark of North Salt Lake, Rhonda (Jeff) Ogden of Roseville, California, Cheryl (Jeff) Harrison of Kaysville, Nancy (Willie) Salas of Woods Cross, 30 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, her sister Ruth Cleverly and her brother Sherman Moss.

Funeral services [were] held Friday, March 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm at the Woods Cross Stake Center, 2064 S. 800 W. Woods Cross. Family and friends [were able to] call Thursday evening from 4:30-6:30 pm at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 N. Main in Bountiful and Friday morning from 10:00-11:30 am at the Stake Center prior to the services. Interment, Bountiful City Cemetery. Online condolences and guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.

We love you Mom and Grandma! Your good example and committed service to those you loved is emblazoned in our hearts and minds and for that we will be eternally grateful.

4 Bits and tidbits

Uncle Bill dies 
Uncle Bill (William L. Batt, 1921-1911) died at age 90 on Wednesday, September 21, in Spokane. Bill was the only son of William and Hazel Batt, a younger brother of Dorothy Cleverly and Ruth Batt, an older brother of Berniece Palmer. His funeral was scheduled in Spokane for Friday, September 30. Bill was the second of his siblings to die. Dorothy died in 1982, nearly 29 years ago. Ruth lives in a care center here in Bountiful and no longer recognizes anyone, even her children.. Berniece, who lives in Tooele, was planning to travel with a daughter-in-law and a son to Spokane for the funeral.

Bill's obituary appeared in the Spokesman-Review:



"Of Spokane, Washington, passed away September 21, 2011.

"He was born January 19, 1921, in Milo, Idaho and is the son of the late William B. and Hazel Batt. He graduated from Utah State University in 1943. On June 7, 1943, he was married to Martha Jean Call in the Salt Lake Temple in Utah.

"William served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He continued his service in the National Guard and retired as a colonel. Mr. Batt served on the Spokane City Council and owned a construction company in the Spokane area.

"He is survived by his five children, William C. Batt, Leslie Krogh, Deborah Meyers, Rod Batt and Bradley Batt. William is also survived by his 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Jean Batt, his wife of 63 years, passed away in 2006.

"A memorial service will be held at 10:00am Friday, September 30, 2011, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 401 W. Regina in Spokane, Washington. The interment will take place afterward at Greenwood Memorial Terrace."

Family reunion and a wedding
A Cleverly family reunion was held in Idaho on Friday and Saturday, September 9-10, in connection with Ronnie and Brittany's marriage. Our thanks to Gene's daughter Kimberley, who generously put the reunion together. On Friday evening, September 9, some 26 family members gathered at Kim and Bob Ellis's lovely, large home in Homedale for dinner and visiting:

From Lyle's family: Lyle, and Randy and two of his boys

From Gene's family: Gene and Cheryl, Kim and Bob Ellis and two children (Michael and Misty), Gena and Jason and two children, Bobbie and three daughters, and Ronnie

From Dean's family: Dean and Claudia

From Dale's family: Dale and LeAnn, Keisha and Micah

And a cousin (daughter of Lee and Sybil Cleverly): Nancy Smith Cleverly

Some of Lynda's family had originally indicated they would be coming, but Lynda was involved that weekend in Brigham City's Peach Days, one of the big events of the summer she is involved in, so no one from her family ended up coming. Kay and Karen were unable to come because they were in Oklahoma following the death of Karen's mother. And everyone thought Rex and Jackie would be there, but they were not.

Jerry and Jim joined us the next evening for Brittany Michelle Faught and Ronald Gene Cleverly's wedding on Saturday evening, September 10. The ceremony was held in the Sandstone Event Center in downtown Nampa. The reception, a sit-down dinner, was held in the basement of the center following the ceremony.

Earlier that day Claudia and I, Lyle, and Dale had a nice three-hour visit with Jerry and Jim at their place in Boise.

And off to serve our country
Lyle's granddaughter Sunshyne Kersker (daughter of Doug and Marina) reports that her husband Josh left September 4, deploying to Afghanistan. He will be back in May or June. Our best wishes to him as he serves his country. Sunshyne, who lives in San Antonio, has gone back to school full time to become a registered veterinary technician. Both of the girls are in school: Adria is in the fifth grade (the last year of elementary school in Texas), and Hannah is in Kindergarten. Sunshyne is still their Girl Scout leader, and they are working on the bronze award for Adria's junior troop. She will bridge to Cadettes this year. Hannah is starting her first year as a Daisy.

4 Bits and tidbits

Kay was sustained as bishop of the Hurricane 11th Ward on Sunday morning, August 14. Claudia and I drove down to southern Utah for the weekend to be there for the important event. Kay's daughter Andrea and husband Chuck and some of their children were there representing Kay's family. One of Karen's sons and family were also there for the weekend.

The day before that, Claudia and I attended the funeral service for Agnes Loraine Bates Cleverly. Aunt Loraine was the widow of Marvin Cleverly, the one of Ivard's brothers that looked most like him. Her obituary follows:

Agnes Loraine Bates Cleverly passed away peacefully with her family near on August 7, 2011. She was born April 15, 1917, in Salt Lake City to Frank Bates and Agnes Ella Teakle Bates. She was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah with her five brothers and sisters. She graduated from South High School.

She met and married Marvin Nelson Cleverly on November 6, 1937. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on May 26, 1960. She worked as a telephone operator and later for the Davis County School District as a lunch manager. Out of everything she did, her greatest joy in life was raising her eight children.

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although she served in various ward callings including Relief Society President and librarian, she particularly enjoyed teaching Primary children. She served as a worker in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, which brought her great joy and satisfaction. Both scheduled guests and drop in visitors found that she kept an immaculate house. Her friends and family appreciated and admired her talent in cooking, crocheting and ceramics, many of which became treasured gifts. Her handicrafts also earned blue ribbons at the State and County fairs.

Loraine was feisty and inquisitive, dependable and hardworking. She was family oriented and her annual family Christmas parties were the joy of the season. She looked forward to playing games, and especially enjoyed winning. She loved to laugh and tell jokes, but rarely got the punch line right, which made it all the more fun. She was outgoing and would never hesitate to make a new friend. She enjoyed traveling especially later in life after her children were grown. She appreciated the theater whether cheering for a grandchild in a school play or applauding Broadway talent. She had a wonderful childhood and was especially close to her dad. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life. She was devoted to them and they returned her love and devotion.

Survived by her children: LeeAnn Sargent (Willy), Janet Lambert (Glen), Neil Cleverly (Cheri), Frank Cleverly (available), Brent Cleverly (LeeAnn), Joyce Waddoups (Jon); 34 grandchildren; 106 great-grand-children; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings: Lee Bates, Gordan Bates, Audrey Hutchinson, Emma Jean Allen, and Ralph Bates, daughters, Marva Olsen and Valerie Baker, and great-granddaughter, Celes Olsen.

A special thank-you to the staff at Legacy House of Bountiful and to the loving care provided by Aspire Hospice. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 13, 2011 at the Woods Cross 3rd Ward Chapel, 1450 South 350 West, Bountiful. Family and friends may meet Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and Sat. morning 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Lakeview Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Dr., Bountiful.

Just weeks earlier, Loraine's daughter Valerie had passed away. Loraine had fallen and was unable to attend Valerie's funeral.

Valerie Sue Cleverly Baker passed away peacefully, with her loving husband at her side, on July 23, 2011. She was born on February 18, 1953 in Salt Lake City to Marvin Nelson Cleverly and Agnes Loraine Bates Cleverly. She was raised in Bountiful, Utah with her seven brothers and sisters who she cherished throughout her life.

She met and married Benjamin Harvey Baker on December 1, 1977. Marriage solemnized in the Jordan River Temple, May 5, 1990. She had the privilege of helping raise two wonderful children, Laurie and David. She was a 30-year career employee at Mountain Bell where she developed her organizational and management skills. She loved children and after retiring, she worked as a teacher's aide and substitute teacher.

She was an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various Stake and Ward callings including Primary President, Young Women's President, and Relief Society President. She loved attending the temple and served as a temple worker at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. She loved being a grandmother to her six wonderful grandchildren as well as an incredible aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was optimistic, courageous, thoughtful, and she loved to laugh. Whether on a houseboat at Lake Powell, organizing a shower or party, playing games or traveling with the James Family, a perfect day for Val was a day spent with family and friends. She was creative and artistic which was evident in her crocheting and ceramics, many of which were given away as gifts to others. She kept an immaculate yard and beautiful garden. Her homemade salsa and sugar cookies were legendary.

Val touched and blessed many lives. She was generous with her time and resources and was always available with a helping hand or a listening ear. She was not only a great leader, but a wonderful supporting cast member when needed. She could be the life of the party or the person there to lighten another's burden. She was the pure love of Christ in action. She will be missed.

Survived by her husband, Harvey; children Laurie Mabey and David Baker (Diane); grandchildren Brian James (BJ) Mabey, Debi Mabey, Jake Mabey, Christa Baker, Benjamin Baker, Chloe Baker; and by her mother and six brothers and sisters: Lee Ann Sargent (Willy), Janet Lambert (Glen), Neil Cleverly (Cheri), Frank Cleverly, Brent Cleverly (LeeAnn), Joyce Waddoups (Jon). Preceded in death by her father and by her sister Marva Olsen.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Welby 3rd Ward, 8385 So. 4800 W. in West Jordan, Utah. Family and friends may visit Thursday, July 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Church and one hour prior to services. Interment at Lake View Memorial Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah.

Claudia and I attended Valerie's viewing in West Jordan. It was good to see many of our cousins on both occasions. 

Brittany Michelle Faught (daughter of Cindy Faught and Thomas Faught) and Ronald Gene Cleverly (son of Gene and Cheryl) are being married on Saturday evening, September 10, at the Sandstone Event Center in Nampa. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony. In connection with the gathering of family for the wedding, a family reunion is being organized for that same weekend. We hope to see many of you there.