Avalon Burnett Perkins Obituary (1934

Avalon was born on the 9 of September 1934, to Benjamin Hartley Burnett and Deloris Moody in Thatcher, Arizona. Thatcher is also the childhood home of Spencer W. Kimball. Due to her mother’s health condition, Avalon assumed house and family duties far beyond what would normally be required of a young girl. She had four younger brothers and one sister. One of her brothers was burned severely during this time; the medical bills deprived the family of needed money, making conditions even more difficult. Avalon made a good impression among the community adults for her willingness to play the role of mother to her younger siblings. However, as her siblings grew older, Avalon was free to spend more time and effort in her schooling and social life. She was popular with her peers of both sexes, enjoying sports, dances and school activities with them. As a nineteen year old, Avalon was beautiful and excited with life; she was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teaching primary and involved with genealogical research. In High School she was editor of the yearbook, sang in glee, earned the good citizenship award, was vice president of girls club, chosen most valuable student, received the drama, journalism, and music awards, and was Salutatorian of her graduating class. She also lettered in volleyball, basketball, swimming and softball. She performed in several plays and in her senior year her talent in drama attracted the attention of a talent scout who invited her to come for a Hollywood audition, but she passed on this as her major goal was to marry, raise a large family and be a homemaker. At nineteen she could discuss the subject of raising children at a level that showed profound understanding. She was just an all-around ideal young woman. On December 29, 1953, she married Eldon Preston Angle in the Mesa, AZ Temple. Into this reunion were born eight beautiful, healthy, intelligent children who were the center of her life. 4 sons, Chris, Doug, Kenneth and Richard Angle, and 4 daughters, Brenda Sanders, Eileen Aaron, Lori Noble, Lisa Tanner. Her children brought her much honor and happiness as they were all 100 percenters in church, school and community activities. The daughters were elected home-coming queens, two sons were student-body presidents and one was a seminary student-body president. Two were Eagle Scouts. They were all successful athletes like their mother. Five of the eight children went on to serve missions for their church and all married in the temple. Avalon’s happiest time was when she had a new-born baby to nurse and care for. She enjoyed reading stories to her young children. Her love for children prompted her to want to adopt after her doctor advised her against having more children naturally. So four children were adopted into the family; a son, Ryan was three days of age when he joined the family, another son, Michael was two years old, a daughter, Maya was five years old and a son, Kevin was three days old. She loved her adopted children like her own. She leaves behind 12 living children and 51 grandchildren. Avalon and her children were 100 percenters in church attendance and activities; there was never a question about attending. On Sundays she with her children, all dressed and groomed neatly would occupy a pew toward the front of the chapel; her children were always well behaved; It is thought she gloried in these experiences, to the envy of some. She served as a Relief Society President and in other auxiliary presidencies as well as being an auxiliary teacher several times. She loved the Savior and enjoyed a sure testimony of his reality and the gospel. As a homemaker, Avalon provided three home-cooked meals each day, insisted her children comply with church and family standards and that family home evenings be faithfully held and prayers said. She was a great LDS Mom. Her interests in drama continued for many years, during which time she served as the drama coach in various wards. She wrote the scripts for and directed several award winning roadshows. She also performed in a number of plays at Eastern Arizona College. Recently she was in some commercials for essential oils and also had a small part in the Hallmark movie filmed in 2014, Christmas Under Wraps. Avalon was appointed by the Superior Court Judge of Graham County to serve on the Arizona State Foster Review Board. She served with distinction for over ten years, most of this time as chairperson. Looking out for the welfare of children living under bad conditions seemed to give her a great deal of satisfaction. Avalon married Marshall Perkins in the Salt Lake City Temple on February 04, 1998. They enjoyed dancing and traveling. They served as temple workers in the Provo Utah Temple for several years. Avalon passed away Friday, February 13, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. from complications due to experiencing a stroke. Avalon is survived by her loving husband, Marshall Perkins; 12 children; 4 step-children; sister, Darlene Plumb and brothers, Gale, Earl, Gary and Neil Burnett. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Lakeside 1st Ward Chapel, 131 South 1600 West, Provo, Utah. Friends may call from 8:30-9:45 a.m. prior to services. She will be buried in the Provo City Cemetery.