Marjorie Joy Baxter

Our dear mother, grandmother, and friend, Marjorie Joy Bevan Baxter, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at her residence in the Spring Gardens Assisted Living Center in Mapleton, Utah. She was born on November 5, 1929, in her childhood home in Driggs (now Tetonia), Idaho, the first child of James Clifton Bevan and Agnes Stewart Bevan. She was married to Jay Darwin Baxter of Hyrum, Utah, on June 13, 1951, in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her dear husband preceded her in death on September 1, 2014.

Marjorie was born to descendants of early Mormon pioneers, and her experience growing up as a farm girl in rural Teton Valley, Idaho, shaped her life. Those early years taught her to work hard, to treasure moments with family members (especially with those many wonderful cousins!), to love animals, and to hold dear her testimony and faith in the restored gospel. She remained a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life and she treasured opportunities to attend the temple, nearly to the end of her life. She loved family reunions and meetings of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Books of family histories were some of her most treasured possessions. She and her husband relocated to California immediately after their marriage where he continued his teaching career. Her work ethic served her well as she took on many Primary and Relief Society callings while devoting herself to the task of creating a loving home for five precious children who came into their lives so quickly. They started out in California’s rural north timber country but soon moved to the Bay Area. Following Darwin’s retirement they moved to Chubbuck, Idaho, to escape the Bay Area crowds. They eventually returned to California to be closer to family. They had many happy years in Modesto, California, until her husband’s health failed. Not long after his passing she moved to Springville, Utah, where she lived with her son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Rita. When Steven and Rita made plans to serve a mission she moved to assisted living in Idaho Falls, near the residence of her daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Larry Jones. She spent her final years in Mapleton at the Spring Gardens Assisted Living facility. In all these moves she found many dear friends. 

Marjorie is survived by her five children: Bruce (Alejandra) Baxter of Rincon, Puerto Rico; Steven (Rita) Baxter of Springville, Utah; David (Linda) Baxter of Escalon, California; Rosalyn (Monte) Dalrymple of Livermore, California; and Joan (Larry) Jones of Shelley, Idaho; a beloved former daughter-in-law, Kathy Clement Baxter; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Jay Darwin Baxter, and by her brother, John Lynn Bevan.

 Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the Springville Spring Creek Stake Center located at 760 N 400 E, Springville, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday evening, November 8, from 6-8 p.m. at that same location, and Saturday morning before the funeral service from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Burial will be at the Hyrum City Cemetery.

The family will be forever grateful to the caring and capable staff at Spring Gardens Assisted Living in Mapleton and to the members and leaders of the Union Bench Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.