Bessie Marie Fordham Edwards, 88, passed from this life July 15, 2011.
She was born February 25, 1923 in Greenville, Beaver Co., Utah to George Albert and Jeanette Caroline Calvert Fordham. Third of nine children, she grew up in a loving family.
Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vivian, son Ricke, three brothers Howard, Ralph, and Allen, sister Glenna Rae, and son-in-law John Edwin Taylor.
Bessie’s early education was in Greenville. She attended high school in Beaver and graduated in 1941 as Valedictorian of her graduating class. Bessie attended Utah State Agricultural College.
She married Vivian E. Edwards September 13, 1941 in Pioche, Lincoln Co., Nevada. Their marriage was solemnized in the St. George Temple in 1951.
Vivian was serving with a National Guard Unit from Beaver in San Louis Obispo, California at the time of their marriage. Bessie was not able to go with her husband to California, so returned to Logan to continue her education.
In 1942 Bessie traveled with her husband to Washington State, then to Camp Forrest, Tennessee.
October of 1943, Ricke was born in Tennessee. World War II escalates and Vivian is sent to Europe with his military unit. Bessie returns home to Greenville with her baby and lives with her parents and family until her husband returns safely from WWII in 1944.
Bessie became the Postmaster of the Greenville Post Office and held this position for forty years. At the time of her retirement, she had the longest term of service as a postmaster in the state of Utah. Along with the post office, Bessie ran a small store and gas station out of her home.
Vivian and Bessie purchased her parents farm and established a dairy business. Bessie was involved with the running of the diary morning and night along side her husband and sons.
Bessie was an active member of The Church of Latter-day Saints all her life. She served as a missionary for two summers at Cove Fort Visitors Center. She served as an Ordinance Worker in the St. George Temple for eighteen years. Service would be a word to describe her life.
Bessie is survived by a son Brent (Sandra) of Greenville, Mary Anne Taylor, of Gilbert, Az., Annette (Deloy) Shepherd, Brigham City, Utah. Three brothers, Dean, LaMar, and Wallace, and one sister Barbara Brasher. 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild.
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