Orvilla Allred Stevens, 1926 - 2009
Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother, Orvilla Allred Stevens, age 82, of Provo, Utah passed away peacefully at home, on July 28, 2009, among family members who loved her. Orvilla was born in Cardston, Alberta, Canada on December 6, 1926 to Golden and Josephine Allred, the first of six children. She grew up in Hillspring, Alberta, Canada and loved reading and music. Her talent for music was recognized early in her life and she sang on local radio programs as a teen. She graduated from Hillspring High School and continued her studies at a secretarial school in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. She married Blayne Franklin Stevens in the Cardston Alberta Temple, July 19, 1945. Five children were born to this union. Orvilla’s family and the gospel of Jesus Christ were the center of her life. This valiant and virtuous daughter of God has a long history of serving the Lord in the auxiliaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.An enriching, fulfilling, and beautiful part of Orvilla’s life was her gift of music and one that she graciously shared with others. Orvilla will be remembered for her powerful voice that touched the hearts of those listening. As an endeared member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 21 years, she has been a featured soloist, sung at 42 General Conferences, 6 presidential inaugurations, sung for the Queen of Thailand, sung in 16 languages around the world, performed in local operas, theatre productions, and as a soloist in community productions of Handel’s Messiah. We have all shared in the blessings of her angelic voice in praise to the Lord; it was her way to say, “I love you.”Through her years in the choir and three temple missions she has seen much of the world. Orvilla and Blayne were companions in three temple missions: Seoul Korea, Denver Colorado, and St. Louis Missouri.Orvilla leaves a legacy of 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She is survived by her husband, Blayne Stevens and her five children; Mont (PJ) Stevens of Costa Mesa, California; LaRon (Jeannee) Stevens of Lindon, Utah; Gae Robinson of Provo, Utah; Mona Stevens of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Wendy (Jim) Selmos of Provo, Utah. She is enjoying a spiritual reunion with her father and mother, Golden and Josephine Allred, her sister Velora Smith, her grandson Shawn Robinson, and her daughter-in-law Trish Stevens.Her life will be celebrated at funeral services to be held Monday, August 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Grandview South Stake Center, 1122 North Grand Avenue, Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held at the Grandview South Stake Center Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Monday morning preceding the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com.
Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother, Orvilla Allred Stevens, age 82, of Provo, Utah passed away peacefully at home, on July 28, 2009, among family members who loved her. Orvilla was born in Cardston, Alberta, Canada on December 6, 1926 to Golden and Josephine Allred, the first of six children. She grew up in Hillspring, Alberta, Canada and loved reading and music. Her talent for music was recognized early in her life and she sang on local radio programs as a teen. She graduated from Hillspring High School and continued her studies at a secretarial school in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. She married Blayne Franklin Stevens in the Cardston Alberta Temple, July 19, 1945. Five children were born to this union. Orvilla’s family and the gospel of Jesus Christ were the center of her life. This valiant and virtuous daughter of God has a long history of serving the Lord in the auxiliaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.An enriching, fulfilling, and beautiful part of Orvilla’s life was her gift of music and one that she graciously shared with others. Orvilla will be remembered for her powerful voice that touched the hearts of those listening. As an endeared member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 21 years, she has been a featured soloist, sung at 42 General Conferences, 6 presidential inaugurations, sung for the Queen of Thailand, sung in 16 languages around the world, performed in local operas, theatre productions, and as a soloist in community productions of Handel’s Messiah. We have all shared in the blessings of her angelic voice in praise to the Lord; it was her way to say, “I love you.”Through her years in the choir and three temple missions she has seen much of the world. Orvilla and Blayne were companions in three temple missions: Seoul Korea, Denver Colorado, and St. Louis Missouri.Orvilla leaves a legacy of 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She is survived by her husband, Blayne Stevens and her five children; Mont (PJ) Stevens of Costa Mesa, California; LaRon (Jeannee) Stevens of Lindon, Utah; Gae Robinson of Provo, Utah; Mona Stevens of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Wendy (Jim) Selmos of Provo, Utah. She is enjoying a spiritual reunion with her father and mother, Golden and Josephine Allred, her sister Velora Smith, her grandson Shawn Robinson, and her daughter-in-law Trish Stevens.Her life will be celebrated at funeral services to be held Monday, August 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Grandview South Stake Center, 1122 North Grand Avenue, Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held at the Grandview South Stake Center Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Monday morning preceding the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com.
