Beverly Ford

Beverly Anne Stephens Ford, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the age of 79 years old of natural causes.

Beverly was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 18, 1944, to Ted E. Stephens and Alta Lavee Kenner. She was raised on the west side of Salt Lake City near the railroad tracks. The highlight of her childhood was seeing Elvis wave from the back of the train as he was passing through town. Beverly loved to read and so naturally one of her first jobs was as a librarian at the public library in Salt Lake.

The biggest non-regret of her life was that her mother did not let her quit piano as a young woman who hated to practice. She always said that her sisters had wonderful singing voices but since she didn't, her parents got her a piano. She would grow to love the piano as one of her most favorite things in the world. She taught piano to hundreds of nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends over the years. She played in primary, sacrament meeting, weddings, and funerals. When she wasn't playing or teaching, she sometimes led the music and directed the choir. One of the highlights of her life was playing for the children's choir in the tabernacle.

In addition to teaching piano lessons, she loved crafts: all kinds of crafts from flower arranging, macrame, scrapbooking, quilting, making homemade chocolates, sewing, and much more. As children started moving out, she had a whole room of craft supplies. She worked for years at a craft store but spent most of her earnings on supplies.

She spent countless hours working on family history. She had a room in the basement dedicated to old journals, books, photos, and all things family history. She compiled and submitted a beautiful 4 generation book complete with biographies, photos, family group and pedigree charts. 

In her later life, she worked as a crossing guard for West Valley City. All of her jobs were favorites for her, but this one was special. The kids at the school called her “Grandma Ladybug” and she got up every day eager to see her kids on their way to school.

Beverly was a very active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her Heavenly Father and her Savior Jesus Christ. She was the very embodiment of charity and the pure love of Christ. She never said no to an act of service. She served with the Relief Society, Young Women, Sunday school, Cub Scouts, and music but mostly she loved the primary. Jesus said to love the children and she took that to heart.

Family though was what was most important to Beverly. Her doting husband Brian loved to make her things. He built her a beautiful bookcase, attempted to fix things around the house and planted flowers in her garden. He lived to try to make her happy. She loved to see him busy. She loved spending time with her family during long family road trips, camping at Moon Lake, and sitting around the campfire watching her little cities of glowing embers go out. She was never too busy for her children, husband, or grandchildren.

She always wanted to see the world with her eternal companion Brian when they retired. Unfortunately, their dreams were cut short by their health problems. We are sorrowful to see her go and will miss her so much. We rejoice though that together our parents can finally explore the universe and fulfill their eternal potential. The family would like to thank Hope Hospice for the special care they gave to our mom in her final days. Specifically, Leah, Kathy, Sandi, and Iris. She loved you all.

She was preceded in death by her adored husband Brian, her parents Ted and Lavee, brother Blair and his wife Bonnie, sister Lynda and her husband Bill (Red), and beloved nieces and nephews. She is survived by her 4 children Russ, Karen, David, and Wendy and their spouses Adilfa, Paul, Lesley, and Jim, 11 grandchildren Michelle, Shantelle, Brian, Toni, Tyler, Brady, Zach, Cameron, Tysyn, Braxton, and Brooklyn, 3 great-grandchildren Rylee, Xander, Cole, two sisters Claudia and Faye and brother Ted.

A viewing will be held for family and friends on Thursday May 9th at McDougal Funeral Home from 6:00pm to 8:00pm 4330 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville, UT. Funeral services will be held at the Westland 8th Ward 7115 S 3200 W, West Jordan, UT Friday May 10. Viewing from 9:30am to 10:30am and funeral at 11:00am. Burial will be at Valley View Memorial 4335 W 4100 S West Valley City following the funeral services.