Della Watkins Brown
Della Watkins Brown passed away peacefully in Twin Falls, Idaho on March 21, 2024, surrounded by family. She was 93.
Della was born in Conda, Idaho on October 31st, 1930, to Thomas Henry and Jennie McMurray Watkins. She was the youngest of eight children.
She spent her childhood in Conda and then moved to Twin Falls at the beginning of her senior year in high school.
Della met her sweetheart, Ralph Lynn Brown, when she was in high school and then, after a couple years of a long-distance romance, they were married in the Logan Temple on May 16, 1950. They made their home in Soda Springs, Idaho, where they raised their four children, Jerry, Janet, Renee and Melanie.
Della worked as a telephone operator for a few years before deciding to stay at home with her children. She then worked alongside Ralph on their farm driving tractor and grain trucks, as well as taking food to the field to feed the crew.
Della enjoyed volunteering and was a Caribou County volunteer EMT. She also served for many years on the hospital auxiliaryboard, with a couple of those years as its president. She found great joy in serving others and could often be found helping or taking food to those in need.
Della was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a deep and abiding testimony in her Savior Jesus Christ. She held many church callings, including stake Primary president and ward Relief Society president.
She was an avid reader, having read hundreds of books throughout her life. She loved to walk and exercise, and in her younger years could be seen walking the Bailey Creek Road anytime that the weather permitted. She loved to cook, especially for her family. She loved collecting recipes and trying new dishes. Many wonderful meals were served at her table.
Without question, her family was her greatest joy in life, and she spent countless hours serving them and always putting family first. She was a loving wife, a kind and loving mother, and a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be missed beyond measure.
She is survived by her children, Jerry (Robyn) Brown, Renee (Wade) Harris and Melanie (Shawn) Athay, as well as fifteen grandchildren and their spouses, and fifty-six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Elzo Watkins, Ruby Rose, Willard Watkins, Verda Jenkins, Darrell Watkins, Marvin Watkins, Lynn Watkins, her husband Ralph, her daughter Janet Cellan, and son-in-law Sid Cellan.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 31st, from 6:00-7:00 P.M., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Soda Springs, Idaho (361 south 3rd east), and a viewing at the same location will be held on Monday, April 1st, from 10:30-11:30 A.M., with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs.
