Mary Jean Bankhead

Mary Jean Bankhead

Mary Jean Bankhead passed away at home, surrounded by her family on Monday, June 25, 2012.

She was born July 27, 1933, to Oliver Smith and Leola Larsen Poppleton Bailey in Wellsville, Utah. The fourth of five daughters, she grew up working on the family farm, learning homemaking skills from her mother, and developing her musical talents.

She graduated from South Cache High School where she sang the lead in three operettas and was a drum majorette in the marching band. Mary Jean married her high school sweetheart, Samuel Clair Bankhead, on June 12, 1951, in the Logan Temple. They raised their family in Paradise, Bountiful, and Layton, Utah. She was devoted to her children and was a strong support to her husband in his farming and in his church callings, which included bishop, stake president, and patriarch, totaling over 25 years. She taught piano lessons for 23 years. Throughout her life, Mary Jean generously shared her musical talents singing, conducting, and playing the organ and piano. She also served in the Relief Society, Primary, and Mutual. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter, as well as an expert at candy, pie, and bread making. Everyone looked forward to her fudge and penuche at Christmas time. Mary Jean was an avid reader. Though limited by health problems in her later years, she did not complain. She was a stalwart, cheerful example to all.

Survived by her children, Douglas Bankhead (Marilou), Melanie Liston (Garry), Paul Bankhead (Connie), Gina Elder (Bob), Karen Bankhead, Dan Bankhead (Mary), and John Bankhead (Shannon); 28 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sisters Leta Steinitz and Laurel Sorensen (Maurice). Preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Leola Larsen (Grant), and Anna Lou Kendrick (Ellis), and son-in-law Jimmy D. Thacker.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Layton Hills Stake Center, 2300 N. University Park (1200 W.). Friends may visit family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Paradise City Cemetery at 3 p.m.

The family would like to thank her neighbors Don and Roma Kelley and her long-time friend Susan Flitton for their love, friendship, and service; and the doctors and nurses at Lakeview Hospital and Applegate HomeCare and Hospice. The children would also like to thank Shannon Bankhead for her tender, round-the-clock care of mom for the last two weeks.