Our cherished mother, Beth Ovard Wride, passed away at home on the morning of 27 December 2015, surrounded by her loving family.
Beth was born 7 June 1925 in South Jordan, Utah to Lindsey Ovard and Orpha Searle. The family soon moved to American Fork, where Beth and her siblings grew up.
Beth graduated from American Fork High School, then attended Brigham Young University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree. She remained an avid Cougar fan and also a Utah Jazz fan her entire life. Her love of education and the theatre inspired her to return to American Fork High School to teach speech and drama. She became a young colleague to her former teachers and was also instrumental in bringing full-length plays to the AF high school stage for the first time. After a few years of teaching, her desire for adventure grew, and Beth became a flight hostess for TWA airlines. She flew for TWA for a year and a half before meeting and marrying the love of her life, Rex J. Wride, a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol and a dispatcher at Standard Oil.
Beth and Rex were married on 14 July 1952 for time and eternity in the Logan Temple and spent six wonderful years together before Rex passed away in 1958. Beth was left to rear three small children on her own. With great faith and courage, and with the desire to provide for her young family, Beth owned and operated a successful restaurant for over 20 years. Her family became employees, and employees became family over the years. During this same time period Beth invested in residential real estate. She was an astute business person known for her honesty and integrity.
An active and dedicated member of the LDS Church, Beth served in numerous callings in the Primary and Relief Society, and for many years on a regional board for Single Adults. Generous and caring, Beth was loved and admired by all who knew her. Her true joy and passion was her family. She was very proud of each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. She never forgot a birthday and was very generous with her love and with her testimony of Jesus Christ.
Beth had a lovely home and garden. She enjoyed her roses, pansies and other flowers. Everyone was welcome at her home and she enjoyed backyard activities with family and friends. She created many great traditions, focusing on her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Beth has anticipated for 57 years the joyous reunion with her sweetheart and her family joins in the celebration. The family wishes to thank Missy and all the staff at Silverado Hospice.
She is preceded in death by her husband Rex, her sisters, Mae Beckstead and Faye Heaps, brothers Joseph, Glen and Jay Ovard. Beth is survived by her sons Bradly (Valerie) and Jeffrey (Karen), and daughter Lori (Randy Johnson). She is also survived by 12 grandchildren,17 great-grandchildren, with more on the way, brother Wyman Ovard, and sister-in-law, Norma Ovard.
Services will be held Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 11 am at the Winder Stake Center (4366 S. 1500 E.). A viewing will be held from 9:30 ‚ 10:30 prior to the funeral. Friends and loved ones may also call Wednesday evening from 5:30 -7:30 pm at Larkin Mortuary (260 E. South Temple). Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
