Beverly Dennis

Beverly Ann Hankins Dennis was born May 22, 1935 to Eva Mae Woodall Hankins and Richard Morris Hankins in a home in Salt Lake City, Utah, not too far from where she would spend her childhood years.

She returned to her heavenly home November 29, 2019 to rejoin her husband and loved ones who have preceded her in death. She was 84 years old. Her youngest brother, Carl and his wife Dalene, her children and grandchildren remain.

Many of her younger years were spent in Salt Lake City where she attended Franklin Elementary and Jackson Junior High School. She graduated from West High, and later became a licensed beautician.

Beverly enjoyed playing basketball in her youth and spending time with family and friends. Many of her friendships have lasted lifetimes.  She took great pleasure in the various activities at her neighborhood house. She once played the lead role in a neighborhood house play, Cinderella.  She was 16 years old when she was selected as the neighborhood house homecoming queen.

Beverly married Ronald Griggs Dennis in Salt Lake City. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they had five children: Rhonda (Roni) Dennis, Hensley and her husband, Tom (deceased) (Sunset); Alan Dennis (Michelle, divorced) and his wife, Judy (South Weber); Diane Dennis Love and her husband John (Layton); Dwayne Dennis (Layton); and Janalee Dennis Davis and her husband, Cory (Layton).

She was a wonderful mother who taught her children to love one another. Beverly loved all her children. She has 10 grandchildren: Brandon Hensley (Sunset); Amy Love Martin and her husband, Justin (North Ogden); John Joseph (J.J) Love and his wife Stephanie (Clearfield); Melissa Dennis Butts and her husband, Doug (Washington State and currently serving in the U.S Navy); Andy Dennis and his wife Miriam (Magna); Emily Dennis Vanwagoner and her husband, Michael (West Jordan); Trevor Davis (Layton); Andrea Davis Oettinger and her husband, Ryan (Layton); Kelsi Davis Barnes and her husband, Hunter (Clearfield); and Morgan Davis (Layton) and 12 great-grandchildren: Jacob Hensley, Noah Hensley, Michael Butts, Eric Butts, Jennifer Butts, Ashlynn Martin, Kyson Martin, Jaycie Martin, Sophie Love, Easton Love, Riyah Love and Zavier Love. Beverly loved watching all of her children, her grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews as they grew.

Many of Beverly’s summers were spent at the family’s cabin, and camping on fishing trips throughout the Uintah and the Wasatch Range. She specially loved sightseeing in the National Parks of Southern Utah. She loved to read books and write poetry. She compiled a book of memories from family members about the beloved cabin.

Beverly was a gifted artist, often sketching pictures of children, small animals and flowers. She faithfully kept a journal for years and taught her children to sing while they worked, they would also sing Primary songs and movie songs while traveling.

Beverly has worked most of her adult life as a waitress in her brother-in-law’s café; as a beautician, working beside her sister, Donna; as a seamstress for Deseret Mills, and for many years as a cafeteria worker in Davis County Schools. Upon retirement from the school district, Beverly began to volunteer as a pink lady, guiding patients to their various appointments at Davis Hospital.

She was very active as a leader in her senior citizen apartment complex, forming their Lunch Bunch and Six-Pack dinner groups. She continued to play Bingo with her friends until just days before her death. Beverly worked with children as a Senior Friends Reading Volunteer, sitting side by side to them as they read together.

Beverly was a faithful servant in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Three of her children served LDS missions, as did their grandchildren and her children’s spouses. She served as a primary teacher and Webelos teacher for many years. She also taught Sunday school and MIA, she was the Secretary-treasurer for her ward’s Relief Society for many years and served as a visiting teacher.

Throughout her life, Beverly was a quiet warrior for the underdog. She has influenced many for good, and she is a lifelong peacemaker. She will be missed by everyone in her family, her many friends, and her community. Although she has crossed over this earthly threshold, her heart will dwell with us all until we meet again.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Central Ward Chapel, 60 West Gordon, Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment Lakeview Cemetery.

Our sincere gratitude to Symbii Hospice, Apple Village and Lindquist's Mortuary for the special care they have shown.

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