Vesta Wright Barnett passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on July 20,1999 in Provo, Utah.
She was born to Moses and Sarah Elizabeth Stanger Wright on March 20, 1907 in Lincoln, Idaho. She married Owen L. Barnett in the Salt Lake Temple on October 6, 1941.She lived a life of service, she began teaching elementary school at the age of 16. Over the years she attended Rick's College and Brigham Young University, receiving both a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree. She taught school in Idaho, Nephi and Provo and was a home demonstration agent in Afton and Evanston, Wyoming prior to her marriage. She returned to her teaching career at Provo High School in 1950, and finished her career in the College of Family Living at BYU. She was active in DUP, DAR, Sorosis, BYU Women and Thalian club. She also served as president of the Utah Home Economics Association. She was also co-chairman of the committee responsible for raising the money and placing the American Family statue in front of the Historic County Courthouse in Provo.
She enjoyed writing family history and genealogy books and loved entertaining, especially for her own family. One of her favorite things was arranging beautiful bouquets of flowers that her husband had grown in their garden. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, but most of all she was a people person. In her later years her greatest pleasure came from having friends and family stop by for a visit.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served as ward and stake Primary president, Relief Society and Young Women's president. She loved the temple and enjoyed the time she spent as a temple worker in the Provo Temple.
Her main love was her family, and took great pride in her children and grandchildren. She faced many trials in her life but always faced them courageously, and with little complaint.
She was preceded in death by her by her parents, five sisters, three brothers, her husband, two sons and one daughter. She is survived by one son, Wilmer L. Barnett (Nellie), St. George; and three daughters, Arlene B. Rigby (Ralph), West Valley City; Barbara B. Harris (Antoine), Orem; Mary B. Linnell (Mark), Sandy; 28 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, and 29 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 23rd, at 12 noon in the Pleasant View Chapel, 650 East Stadium Avenue, Provo. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Walker Mortuary, 85 East 300 South, Provo, and Friday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Church. Burial will be in the Payson City Cemetery.