Jenelle Adams

Jenelle Shelby Adams

Jenelle Shelby Adams was born July 19, 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The “number 3” daughter (of 4) to Alan Bernett Shelby and Theresa Ann Lund Shelby. Her first home was in West Valley City where she was affectionately nicknamed “Teenie Burrito.” In those early years she exhibited a remarkable pattern of service.  For example, when she saw someone laying on the couch, she would fetch a soft pillow and place it under their head.

At age 3 she moved with her family to Cottonwood Heights where she attended Cottonwood Heights Elementary School and Butler Middle School. The highlight of living there was to be four doors away from her cousins; Haleigh, Heather, and Holly, and her Aunt Sandy and Uncle Steve. These cousin homes were extensions of each other.   In the seven years she lived there, she developed lifelong friendships that have blessed her entire life.  Summers were spent at the Shelby Cabin in Bear Lake, hiking and playing at Grandma and Grandpa Lund’s cabin in Alta, walking to Chevron, swimming at “the spa”, and riding bikes.

When she was 11 years old her father passed away and she moved to Layton when her mother married her new father Keith Read Russell.  Alesa, Dana, Jenelle, and Katie joined with their two new sisters, Ashlee and Erin. The Shelby girls were warmly welcomed by the Russell and Rushforth families. New grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins extended love and acceptance.

Jenelle graduated from Layton High School where she met her eternal sweetheart Jonathan Adams.  She attended Weber State University and worked at Ensign Engineering. After Jonny’s mission they married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 15, 2004.

She loved her Adams family, the campfires at the cabin, the baseball and wiffleball games and Sunday walks on the sod farm.

Mothering came naturally to her. She was the mother of twin boys (7 minutes apart) and twin girls (7 years apart). She was fiercely devoted to them.  She loved and encouraged their creativity and provided the tools for its expression: piles of paper, playdough and paint, scissors and glue. She specifically taught them the importance of loving and including everyone.  She was a gentle mother in touch, in voice, in expression, and was always available for them to cuddle, kiss and climb on.  She took great joy in hiding around the corner and “scaring the living daylights” out of them, (and anyone else she could find).

Jenelle was active in the LDS Church. Her influence was felt in the Nursery, Boy Scout Program and Young Women. She was the consummate party planner and loved to bake, and decorate for fun.

Jon and Jenelle were best friends. Together they served their family, their friends and anyone else whose crossed her path.

Jenelle spent the last two weeks of her life with Jon and Theresa at her side at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. She appreciated each professional who served her:  Physicians, Nurses and Assistants, Technicians, Therapists, and Staff.  She passed away Friday April 28, 2017 surrounded by her family and friends.

Jenelle was strong in body and spirit. Her laugh and smile lit up the room. She was a champion of the underdog. She lived with conviction of the heart. Her Christ-like service blessed her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Jenelle is survived by her husband, Jon. Children; Brynlee Kay (8), twins, Blake John and Stockton Boyd (5), and Ellie Marilyn (1).  Parents; Keith and Theresa Russell, Steve and Shelia Adams.  Siblings/Nieces/Nephews; Ashlee and Val Dorius (Carter, Luke, Ben), Alesa Shelby, Dana Baldwin (Jett, Grey, Lundynn, Kage), Erin Mathews (Marley, Harper), Katie and Nate Hammond (Shelby, Tori, Brooks, Reid).  Steve Adams Jr. (Price), Angie Kay Adams, Mike and Kortney Adams (Beck, Emmie, Livie), James and Julia Adams (Rosie), David and Danika Adams. Grandmothers; Helen Lund, and Colleen Shelby. She was preceded in death by her father, Alan Shelby. Grandfathers; John Gary Lund, Boyd Lenard Shelby and David Douglas Russell, and a Grandmother; Delora Read Russell.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m.  at the Layton North Stake Center, 1945 E. Antelope Drive, Layton.  There will be a viewing Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton.