Elizabeth S W Jones (Bessie) 

I was born on September 14, 1889, in a little two room log house about eight miles north west of Malad at the home of my grandmother Elizabeth Williams. 

My mother Mary Williams was born in Sacramento, California on June 4, 1869 a daughter of David and Elizabeth Williams. My father, Reese Williams Waylett was born at Brigham City, Utah on September 2, 1864 a son of Henry and Sarah Williams Waylett.  Their home was located in Malad on the lot where the Oneida Co. Hospital now stands.   

My father died of typhoid fever when I was four months and fourteen days old.  Mother and I made our home with my grandmother Waylett from that time until she was married the second time to Robert Thomas Bush Jr. on December 31, 1892.  They lived part of the time in Malad and in the summer months on a farm located about twelve miles north west of Malad.  I made my home with them part of the time and with my grandmother Waylett part of the time, 

My schooling commenced when I was seven years old in a little rural school a short distance from my step-fathers farm, Miss Martha Nicholes being my first school teacher.  I came to Malad the following winter and attended school at the Presbyterian Chapel with a Miss Nelson as my teacher.  I next attended the Malad Public schools at Malad.  I completed my Grammer and high school at Malad and attended the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho at Pocatello. 

I taught school at Arbon, Idaho in 1908 and 09.  I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on April 30, 1908 by William Richards Sr.  The baptismal service took place just north of the Crowther Bros, Mill in spring creek.  I was married to James B. Jones on October 5, 1910 in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple at Salt Lake City, Utah. 

We have made our home at 156 West 5th North, Malad, Idaho since that time.  We are the parents of five children.  Our first child, Laurel Delean, was born October 3, 1911.  Mabel was born March 21, 1914, Nada born January 16, 1917, Rees Waylett born December 4, 1921 and died December 7, 1924 of pneumonia.  Our youngest child Jennie Bea was born May 2, 1926.  They have brought much happiness into our home. 

When Nada was two years and five months old my husband was called on a mission and left in June for the Southern States.  It was hard to think of caring for my family alone but with the help of my Heavenly Father I was able to do so.  While he was away Nada was very sick with pneumonia and Mabel met with an accident in which she received a broken leg, but through the administration of the Elders and the faith and prayers of relatives and friends they were made well before their father returned home.   

My church work began shortly after my marriage, some of the positions which I have held are, a teacher in Primary in the Malad 1st Ward, later I was made counselor and then president of the Primary.  In 1918 I was released from the Primary and set apart as president of the Y.L.M.I.A. which position I held until September 27, 1919 when I was called to be a member of the Primary Stake Board.  I was set apart to this  position on October 4, 1919 by Bro. Lewis D. Jones.   

I was chosen second counselor to Sister Alice Harding on April 25, 1925 and set apart on August 12, 1925 by Lewis D. Jones.  I was made first counselor on Sept. 6, 1928 and chosen as Stake President of the Primary on September 28, 1931.  After serving for twenty three years in different positions in the ward and Stake Primary, I was asked to be president of the Malad First Ward Relief Society by Bishop Jessie H. Dredge.  I accepted the position and served until the ward was divided.  I was then made president of the Malad third ward Relief Society under the following Bishops: Thomas D. Evans, Lagrande Horsley, and Jess Hughes.  I was a teacher in the third ward Primary, and a member of the Sunday School Stake Board. 

Two of our daughters Laurel and Nada have filled missions, Laurel in the Central States and Nada in the Northern States Mission.  I am very thankful for all that the Lord has blessed us with, and hope that I can still continue faithful in my duties as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Elizabeth S W Jones (Bessie) O 

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