LaVera Lee Parris

LaVera Lee Parris, 88, a long-time resident of the Ogden area, passed away peacefully at Chancellor Gardens in Clearfield, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

The oldest of four children of Wesley Franklin and Opal Geneva Holmes Cook, LaVera was born on March 27, 1936, in Portland, Oregon.

She was raised in Garibaldi and graduated from Neah-Kah-Nie Union High School in 1954 in Manhattan Beach, Oregon.

She was married to Lyle Kenneth Parris in Portland on February 11, 1956. They had three children together, Lyle Kenneth, Jr., Stephen Craig, and Lisa Rae. Lyle served in the US Air Force and the family traveled around the country, ultimately settling in Sunset, Utah. LaVera continued her education at Weber State College, graduating with her Associate of Science General in 1978, about a year after she and Lyle divorced. Lyle preceded her in death in March of 1992. In 1981 LaVera earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology, also from Weber State. She then continued her education in Washington, graduating from Eastern Washington University with her Master of Social Work Degree in 1984, living in and working for the State of Washington DHS DAAFS from 1987 until 1994. While there she received many awards and acknowledgments for her social work.

In October of 1993, her eldest son passed away, and shortly thereafter, LaVera relocated back to Utah. There she continued in social work, this time for the State of Utah DHS DCFS. She retired in 2001 and was then asked by the State to come back and work some for, this time for DHS DCPD, where she also received many awards and acknowledgments. She retired a second time some years later, but then persisted in her service as a Temple Worker for the Ogden LDS Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also volunteering in the Ogden LDS Family History Center, at Ogden Regional Medical Center, and at the Eccles Center, among many other places. A highlight of her temple service included being able to be sealed to the father of her children posthumously in 2009.

LaVera will be remembered for her caring nature, her artistic endeavors, her religious devotion and dedication to those she loved the most. Among her hobbies, she enjoyed storytelling, painting, reading (she was a member of several book clubs), photography, and gardening. She loved to watch birds but most of all took people under her own wing. LaVera enjoyed a good laugh with family and often lacked a filter when she was with her daughter. Although she was often a very thoughtful and quiet person, LaVera also made many friends and was sociable in all walks of life. A cancer survivor, she was a humble others-focused servant and force for good throughout her entire life.

We love and miss you. You will always be in our hearts.

She is survived by her son, Stephen (Angela) Parris, Mesa, AZ; Lisa Rae Parris, Clearfield; one grandson, Michael (Chavi) Parris, Woods Cross; two great-grandchildren, Je’taime and Alex; and by her sister, Carol Jean Perry, Portland, OR; and by many special friends, near and far. LaVera was preceded in death her parents, her former spouse and eldest son, her baby sister, Merilyn Ann, and by her brother, Russell Owen.

The family thanks the staff of Chancellor Gardens for their loving care of our sweet Mom and we extend our condolences to her friends there – we know you loved her very much and will miss her, also.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 12th , 2024, at Lindquist Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., Ogden. Friends may visit family on Thursday, July 11th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m at the mortuary. Interment, Clinton City Cemetery, 750 W 800 N, Clinton, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested in LaVera’s honor to a charity of your own choice.

Send condolences to: www.lindquistmortuary.com.

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