Effie Elaine Thomson Jepperson

Services will be streamed and can be accessed by clicking on the following link at 10:50 a.m. - https://zoom.us/j/92331083154?pwd=TExUZ3VIczJ2SEZwLzRPMm1qZEd2dz09

In Loving Memory of Effie Elaine Thomson Jepperson

Effie Elaine Thomson Jepperson, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt neighbor and friend passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024, at the remarkable age of 97.    Though she may no longer be with us, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Elaine's story began on December 20, 1926, in the Gateway to the Northwest, Pocatello, Idaho. She was born to Jesse West Thomson and Effie Emelia Erickson Thomson, joining three older siblings in a family filled with warmth and resilience.

Raised during the challenging era of the Great Depression, Elaine learned the value of hard work and perseverance from an early age. Despite the hardships of the time, she often reminisced fondly about her childhood on the family farm in the Salt Lake Valley, where her father and mother tirelessly provided and cared for the family.

As the world was embroiled in World War II, Elaine navigated her high school years at Jordan High with wit and grace. She enjoyed playing the trombone for the Jordan High Marching Band. Ever the party girl, Elaine helped plan many of the Jordan High Class Reunions for the class of  ’44.

After high school her thirst for adventure led her to explore various corners of the country, experiencing post-war America through the lens of curiosity and wanderlust. She enjoyed riding horses on a dude ranch in Colorado and sunbathing on the beaches in California.

In October 1948, while working downtown Salt Lake, Elaine met Ray Jepperson, the love of her life, at the bus stop of 9^th and State.  Ray was delivering telegrams for Western Union.  When Ray first saw Elaine at the bus stop he told his buddy: “Now that’s the girl I want to marry!”

Their romance marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams. Ray and Elaine were married in the Salt Lake Temple on a snowy December 17th, 1948. To celebrate the marriage, Mother Nature dumped an avalanche of snow, with one blizzard lasting three days with gale force winds that created 10 foot snowdrifts.

But the winter storms also foreshadowed personal hardship.  Shortly after their wedding, Elaine and Ray were asked to move in with Elaine’s parents who were battling cancer.  Soon Elaine discovered she was pregnant.  Fighting morning sickness, she nursed her dying mother, and helped raise her two younger brothers Ron and Mel.  Through it all, Elaine showed her resilience.

Together with Ray, Elaine raised six children in a home filled with love, laughter, and hospitality. Their doors were always open to all the kid’s friends and family. While raising her family, Elaine instilled the value of education.  All six of her children graduated from college and all of them have gone to post-graduate studies.  

Elaine’s children and grandchildren: 
Douglas R. Jepperson married (Pamela), in Wilmington, North Carolina
Brandon
Andy
Tony
Nicholas
Victoria

Randal K. Jepperson, Cottonwood Heights, UT
Stephanie
Kyle
Dustin
Derrick

Thomas C. Jepperson., married to (Carol), Cottonwood Heights, UT
Julia
Eric
Brian

Janice Bird. Memphis, TN
Angie
Geoff

Sheri Jepperson, Vallejo, CA
Jesse
Ashley
Wendy

Bonnie Berrett, married to (Shaun) Riverton, UT
Madison
Hannah
Calvin

 Add to the grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren!

 Elaine also found much joy and purpose in her faith as a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her involvement in her community. Her love for literature and learning extended beyond the confines of her home, as she dedicated herself professionally to promoting literacy and education in her community.  One of her first jobs was at the Midvale Public Library.  Elaine also worked for many years as a librarian at Taylorsville High, and then for the Sandy and Whitmore Public Libraries.  To the very end, Elaine would share with her friends and family about the latest book she was reading.

 Elaine's legacy of love and kindness lives in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, each of whom she cherished dearly. Her unwavering love and boundless generosity touched the lives of all who knew her.  One grandchild remarked in facing a new challenge, “I will just go talk to Grandma, she will convince me I can do it.”

 After Ray’s passing in 2014, Elaine married Bill Green.  The two of them enjoyed travels together and had fun watching Bill’s favorite sport teams like the U and the Broncos as well as get-togethers with their respective family and friends.  After Bill passed in 2020, Mom moved to the Sandy Cedarwood Senior Care Center and made many new and lasting friendships there.    

As we gather to honor Elaine's memory, let us celebrate the extraordinary life of a woman who exemplified strength, grace, and unconditional love. Funeral services to commemorate Elaine's life will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Whitmore Ward in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. At 11:00 am.  Prior to the service, a viewing will be held from 10:00 – 10:45am at the Whitmore Ward, for family and friends to pay their respects.

The family expresses our deep gratitude to the neighbors, including the family of Michelle and Sean Ferre, and Mary Ann Waddoups who provided Elaine with tireless service at home.   Also, we want to thank the Mawhinney families for welcoming Elaine into their hearts when, after Ray’s passing and at age 89, Elaine married Bill Green.

We also owe an unpayable debt to the amazing caregivers at Cedarwood at Sandy for the loving, angelic support and care they provided Elaine in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the local “Habitat for Humanity:” in honor of Elaine's passion for helping others. habitatsaltlake.org

Funeral Services will be held, Thursday, February 15, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Whitemore Ward, 6890 S Whitmore Way, Salt Lake City, UT   84121.  A viewing will be held at the Whitmore Ward the day of the service from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.  Interment Sandy City Cemetery.  Funeral Directors, Cannon Mortuary.