Aug. 12, 1934-April 7, 2024
Eva Jeanette Ivie Coons, our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, peacefully graduated from this life on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the age of 89, surrounded by her loving family. We have prayed for years for our sweet mom to be well and free from her physical pains. We find peace and comfort knowing she is free now and in the loving arms of her sweetheart. We miss her but will always cherish our memories with her.
She was born to Quay and Drucilla Harward Ivie on Aug. 12, 1934. She loved growing up on her family farm in Aurora, Uta,h with her black spaniel named “Coon” and little lamb called “Lambie Pie.” One of her earliest memories was the year her Primary did a float for the Fourth of July parade. She was selected to ride the Swan. It was made of crepe paper and built on a small wagon. Wearing a white frilly dress and matching white hat, her natural curly hair hanging in ringlets, made her feel like a princess at just 2 years old.
Jeanette loved her family. The youngest of three, she loved and looked up to both her siblings — brother Calvin Quay Ivie and sister Bernitta Joyce Ivie Mecham. Her father lovingly nicknamed her Dolly. She also had loving memories of her mother gently rocking her in a rocking chair while singing lullabies, instilling in her a deep love for music. Her father died when she was just 7 years old. Then also losing her mother when she was a sophomore in high school was especially hard.
After losing both her parents, she spent time with extended families that helped to love and provide for her. Her aunts, uncles and cousins (the Harwards’ and Axtells’) made time to care for her, which helped her develop loving relationships with them throughout her life. She also maintained close relationships with her brother and sister and their families throughout her life. She looked forward to time spent with Bernitta’s family as their young families grew up and later
in life during their many visits.
Her lifelong love of music, developed at her mother’s knee, was used to bless many. When she was 10 years old she made a guitar out of a cigar box, a stick, and some elastic bands. She could sing well, but the guitar must have driven everyone nuts because her Uncle Ed gave her a real guitar soon after and made her promise to learn to play it right. So she did. She also learned to play the piano at an early age by listening to her Mom play the piano. Her mother was an excellent piano player and though Jeanette was encouraged to take lessons, she never did. Music came naturally and she learned many songs just playing by ear. This skill also helped her when learning to play chords on the guitar. She didn’t always know the names of the chords, but they sounded good. Jeanette continued playing and singing throughout her life. She shared her talents in song while playing her guitar and encouraged others to join in so she could harmonize. Her love and gift of music has been passed down to many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will miss sitting around the campfire listening to her sing and play.
At the age of 16, after bearing her testimony in church, a young man knocked on her door and introduced himself as Kent Coons, thus beginning their courtship. For one of their dates, he offered to buy her a hamburger if she had any money. Thinking he was joking, she agreed. After they finished their burgers, Kent walked out to the car. Turns out he was not joking and had left Jeanette to pay for the food. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Utah
Temple on Sept. 14, 1950, and he continued to lovingly tease her until he passed away in February 2019.
Kent and Jeanette were blessed with seven children. Some of her greatest joys came from raising her family. A tradition began from Jeanette’s love of seeing the cute sayings on the Burma Shave signs posted along the side of the road, usually six signs in a row. Jeanette started posting signs all over her home when her children were growing up. The signs were meant to be “reminders” but mostly they were cute ways of posting chores, on large poster boards, that couldn’t be missed.
Jeanette lived a life of service and love. She will long be remembered for her ministering to everyone she met. She could often be found giving service to others and quickly became friends with everyone in her neighborhood. Some of her most cherished friendships were with her childhood friends the “Shmoos” and the “Breakfast Ladies.” She was forever grateful for their support and strength. These friends etched a sense of belonging and caring for each other for many years.
She magnified many callings as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of her favorite callings was as a stake camp director, which she held for many years, creating countless friendships and memories along the way. She loved her savior Jesus Christ, and shared the savior’s love with everyone she met. With this great love and a witty sense of humor people were drawn to her. She made each person feel like they were her favorite. Through her incredible gift of love, kind smile and helping hands, everyone she met felt included and adored.
Jeanette was a great teacher and loved passing on her knowledge. She taught her children and grandchildren music, first aid, sports, card games, camping, cooking outdoors, how to run a power drill, how to fix and repair anything and when not to listen to Grandpa. Jeanette’s greatest love was her family. You could find pictures of all her family constantly decorating her walls. She knew about all their lives because when you talked, she truly listened and wanted to hear all you had to say and find a way to help if she could. She celebrated them in their highs and mourned with them during their lows. She loved her family fiercely. Before her death she wrote, “(her) prayer for her posterity is to have health, happiness, love and humility. Love one another. Always do the best you can and be the best at whatever you are. Put all else
aside and let your love shine through.”
She was preceded in death by her husband Kent Coons, sons Capt. Michael Kent Coons and Charles Ronald Coons, her parents and siblings. She is survived by her children Marie (Jerry) Eldredge, RaeJean (Marty) Vuyk, Jolie (Lee) Tanner, Kalleen (Roger) Campbell and Nanette (Steve) Wood, as well as her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 12, at 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 912 S 1740 E St. Saint George, Utah, with a viewing held beforehand from 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Interment to follow at Tonaquint Cemetery 1777 S Dixie Dr, Saint George Utah.
“I love you all so very much — may God bless you always.”
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