Jeanene Pickett Benson
March 9, 1950 – Oct. 24, 2021
Jeanene Pickett Benson, 71, returned to her Heavenly Father on Oct. 24, 2021. She passed away at the St. George Regional Hospital due to complications from Leukemia. Jeanene was born on March 9, 1950 in St. George, Utah, to Elmer S. Pickett and Viola Mae Jameson.
Jeanene was only 10 years old when her mother, Viola, passed away from Leukemia. Even from a young age, Jeanene was an incredible support to her younger siblings. Her loving nature was evident as she cared for and tutored them throughout their lives.
Jeanene graduated from Dixie High School and Dixie College, where she studied computer science. She loved her classmates and cherished their friendships until the very end. Her love for St. George and the people she grew up with was unparalleled. She was true-blue to her heritage, as a St. George native. While attending Dixie High School, Jeanene met and married Thomas Norman Cowan. Together, they had one son, Tyler Dee Cowan. This marriage was dissolved on Sept. 23, 1981.
Jeanene met and went on to marry the love of her life and eternal sweetheart, David Gary Benson. They were married on Aug. 14, 1982. The love they shared could be felt by everyone they came in contact with. Jeanene and Gary were the perfect pair. She kept him young, with her infectious laugh and caring demeanor. They had a peaceful and loving marriage for almost 40 years.
Jeanene was an amazing mother and grandmother, incredible cook and talented seamstress. She worked for Mountain Bell for 17 years, then went on to teach elaborate sewing classes full time. She loved teaching, which she showed by holding classes and teaching her loved ones how to sew and cook. Throughout her life, she managed three different businesses: JoAnn Fabrics, Sew Suite Sewing Center and Christensen’s Kids.
As her family grew, Jeanene became the most loving grand and great-grandmother. She taught them many lessons and skills, which they will carry on in her memory. She was so giving to them, but had a sweet-stern way about her that taught them good habits. She was an incredible example of love, patience, and compassion to everyone, especially her family.
Jeanene was so sharp and had a mind that brought love to all she met. She could fix anything, and I mean anything. It was very rare to hear her ask for help. No challenge was too challenging for Jeanene.
She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, with all of her heart and soul. She enjoyed Primary songs, and was the Primary pianist at her church for 16 years. She had many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and did an immaculate job performing each of them. We are going to miss this beautiful lady, as she has touched so many of our hearts. We love her so much and will carry her lessons with us always.
Jeanene is survived by her husband, Gary; her son, Tyler (Lucinda); seven of her nine siblings: Garth (Kathy), Bruce (Kathy), Kevin (Pam), Brian (Jo Ann), Micheline (Doug), Vaughn, and Lisa (Alpine); her four granddaughters: Kelcey (Justin), Kallie (Tyrel), Kenzie (Scott), and Kjerstyn (Mike); and three stepsons: Bart, Russ, and Rod Benson.
She is finally able to reunite with her loving mother, father and two sisters in Heaven.
The viewing will be held on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary, located at 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah, and on Monday, Nov. 1 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the Manzanita Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 3519 Manzanita Road St. George, Utah.
Friends and family are invited to join the broadcasting of the services by clicking on the link below.
www.mazanita.southgatestake.com
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Brent’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com
Update about Jeanene:
The last item I need to inform you of is an email from Gary Benson informing us that Jeanene Picket Benson has been diagnosed with leukemia and has been taken to the Huntsman Cancer Center and a request for prayers on her behalf. We hope that all is going well for her.
Bernice Nelson Pickett Obituary
Our wonderful, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt Bernice Nelson Pickett passed away on August 8, 2017 at her home in St. George, Utah.
Bernice was born on July 15, 1932 in Kanab, Utah to Jonathan Pratt Nelson and Polly Abigail Judd. She was the 8th of 12 children.
Bernice spent many of her summers on Kaibab Mountain in Arizona, where her dad and uncles were loggers. She really loved her time spent there and had wonderful memories from those years. Other summers her family moved around as her dad worked in sawmills in other areas.
When she was young her family moved to Hatch, Utah. At the age of 6 they moved to St. George where she spent most of her life, attending elementary, junior high and Dixie High School.
Bernice loved children and babysat often through her teen years for her sisters and other families in the area. She later had jobs at Dixie Theater, Pickett Lumber Company, and then at Pembrokes in Salt Lake City.
Bernice was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served a mission in the Eastern States Mission, spending time in Memphis and Chattanooga, TN. Throughout the years she served in many callings for the church in Primary and Relief Society.
On May 26, 1961, she married Elmer Squire Pickett for time and all eternity in the St. George LDS Temple. He was a widower and she became a mother to his 6 children. Together, they added 4 more children to the family. She loved all 10 unconditionally.
Bernice is survived by 3 of her children: Micheline Alldredge (Doug) of Mesa, AZ; Vaughn of St. George, UT; and Lisa Jennings (Alpine) of Bloomington, IL; and 5 of her step-children: Garth (Kathy) of Los Altos Hills, CA; Bruce (Kathy) of St. George, Utah; Jeanene Benson (Gary) of Bloomington, UT; Kevin (Pam) of Las Vegas, NV; and Brian (JoAnn) of Middleton, UT; plus 40 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Don Nelson of Spanish Fork, UT. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her daughter, Jeri; her step-daughter, Pamela Riddle; and her step-grandson, Spencer Riddle; along with her parents, 7 sisters, and 3 brothers.
The family would like to give thanks to Zion’s Way Hospice and DeAnn Jensen for the care they gave to their mom the last couple of months of her life. Also to Dr. Tom Jones for his great care and concern of her for many years.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 19th at 11 am at the Flood Street LDS chapel, 85 South 400 East. A viewing will be held on Friday evening, Aug. 18th at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, UT, from 5-7 pm and at the church prior to the funeral from 9 – 10:30 am. Interment will be at the St. George Cemetery immediately following the Funeral.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Bernice Nelson Pickett’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.