Joyce Echols Finlinson

Our dear mother, Joyce Echols Finlinson, 87, of Fool Creek, Utah passed away August 12, 2022, with family by her side.

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She was born to the late Robert Lee and Venla Echols, April 2, 1935, in Tucson, Arizona the 8th of 9 children born to the family. Joyce graduated from North Phoenix High School on May 28, 1953. She worked at a bakery where she found her passion for making donuts and decorating cakes. She also worked as a key punch operator for Mountain Bell Telephone prior to attending Brigham Young University.

She married the late Paul R Finlinson on December 27, 1958, in the Mesa, Arizona LDS temple. They lived together in Fool Creek prior to moving to Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California for a few years. Eventually the family settled in Fool Creek to a life of farming, ranching, and raising their family.

Joyce was an accomplished homemaker, wife, and mother who was always willing to share her creative talents with all those around her. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for friends and family in her home, many times serving mouthwateringly delicious enchiladas, her specialty.

She drew a tremendous amount of joy and satisfaction through her endless creative abilities manifest in beautifully decorated wedding cakes, handwork including sewing, crocheting, Brazilian embroidery and chalk art to name a few. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and dedicated herself to serving in many capacities and sharing her creative talents in her callings throughout her life. She was an active member of the International Society Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Her greatest joy in life was her family and she is survived by her eight children: son Flint (Freda), of St. Louis, Missouri, son Rock (Vickie) of Farr West, Utah, daughter Sandy Cooper (Mike) of Logan, Utah, son Shawn (Shiela) of Fool Creek, Utah, son Shann (Deena) of Fool Creek, Utah, daughter Rayan Wilkinson (Todd) of St. George, Utah, son Denver (Shonnie) of Kansas City, Missouri, son Rust (Barbara) of Nephi, Utah. She is also survived by 31 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and brother, Don Echols (Colleen) of Phoenix, Arizona.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Venla Echols, husband, sisters Geraldine, Florence, Anna, Lorraine, brothers Carl, Malon, Bob son-in-law Woody Morton and great granddaughter Renlee Rae Jeffery.

We wish to express our gratitude to the entire staff and friends at the Bennion Veteran’s Home in Payson for the excellent care, tireless compassion and dedicated service rendered on behalf of Mom.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 11 am in the Leamington LDS Ward Chapel, Leamington, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9 am to 11 am prior to services beginning.

Interment will follow at the Leamington City Cemetery. Online condolences at www.rasmussenmortuary.com