St. George, Utah – Reta Reid McArthur, 79, passed away on July 14, 2010, of causes incident to age. She was born in St. George, Utah, on March 2, 1931, to Hyrum Lorenzo and Zina Stringham Reid. She married Ralph McArthur on Sept. 12, 1952, in the St. George Temple.
Reta graduated from Dixie High School and Dixie College. In 1951, she was the Outstanding Student in Mathew Bentley’s Business class. She was in dramatic productions and was on the debate team. Reta worked for Milne Truck Line as a bookkeeper, where she met her future husband, Ralph. They were married in September 1952 and Ralph left the following month to serve in the Korean conflict for two years, after which they began raising a family. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. She was skilled in crocheting and made many projects , which she shared generously. Reta enjoyed videotaping cartoons to share with her grandchildren, which they treasure. She considered her greatest accomplishment in this life to be her five children, and she was very proud of the good lives they have led.
Reta was a member of the LDS Church and served in various positions in Relief Society and Primary. She especially loved being the secretary in both organizations. She was a diligent Visiting Teacher as long as her health allowed. Reta also served as a volunteer at the Family File desk in the St. George Temple.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years, Ralph McArthur of St. George; their children: Kent (Karla) McArthur of Brigham City, UT, Kari (Ross) Sanford of Medford, OR, Suzy (Ron) Edwards of Sandy, UT, Mark (Jodie) McArthur and Cathy (Daren) Aitken all of St. George, UT; 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Eldon Reid, Ray Reid, Loa Reid Ramsey, H. Jay Reid, Phil Reid; and a grandson, Geoffrey Kent McArthur.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. George East Stake Center, 449 S. 300 East. Friends may call Wednesday, July 21 from 6:00– 7:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, and Thursday, July 22 from 9:30 –10:30 a.m. prior to services, at the church. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery.
The family would like to express appreciation to Reta’s dear friends, Gladys Palmer, Betty Ann Bundy and Juanita Boyer for their life-long friendship and weekly visits which made Mom so happy these last few years.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, UT, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign the guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.
