Elva Marie Price Hipwell was born on May 5, 1930, in Columbia, South Carolina. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Hampton Harold Price and Libby Marie Mette. She had 3 sisters and one brother. When she was 18, she was baptized with her mother and sisters into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In 1949 Elva spent one year at Brigham Young University where she was part of the BYU Chorus and had the privilege to sing for the April General Conference in 1949 at the Tabernacle.
She moved home and met Dee Ellis Hipwell, where they were married on July 27, 1951. They then traveled to Salt Lake City and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They moved to Orem, Utah for Dee to go to BYU where they had their first 3 children. They then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 where they had their 4th child. Whenever her children walked in the door from school, she would always say, "lock the door and wash your hands."
Elva once again had the privilege of singing in the Tabernacle with the Singing Mothers. She loved music and had a beautiful soprano voice. She was in many church choirs throughout the years. She loved playing her grand piano and accepted many callings playing for many church auxiliaries. She was a very loving and compassionate mother.
After all her children were married and left home, she and Dee divorced. They were married for 29 years. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a fresh start. She returned to school and received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and taught school for several years. She then moved to Reno, Nevada where she received her Master's Degree in Special Education in 1996. She loved teaching.
In 1998 she retired and moved to Draper, Utah to be close to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed many summer picnics with her family in her big backyard. She loved French toast, Popovers and butter pecan ice cream.
In 2000, Elva accepted a 3-year part-time mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. She loved her Savior Jesus Christ and always strived to follow the gospel teachings. She would be heard saying, "Wickedness never was happiness" and, "There is peace in righteous doing."
Through the years her children watched as she cooked, baked, decorated birthday cakes, tended her garden, was a master seamstress, a cleaning wizard and painted and decorated her home. She could do just about anything. This example of the "Ultimate DIYer" will live on forever in her family's generations.
In 2014 her health declined as she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. She moved in with her eldest daughter Karen in Sandy, Utah where she lived for nearly 6 years until her peaceful passing. She will be truly missed.
Thanks to Symbii Hospice - especially Nickson, who took such good care of her.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Parkview Ward, 9855 South 2300 East, Sandy Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:00 - 9:45 prior to services at the church. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.
