Elaine Reber

Elaine Bailey Reber, beloved mother, wife, and grandmother, passed away peacefully among family on November 13, 2025, in Athens, Georgia, at the age of 98. She was born on April 2, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to loving parents, LaVern Bailey and Sarah Bailey, who nurtured her strong faith and family values.

Elaine spent her early years in Salt Lake City before moving with her family to the cold, hard-scrabble mining town of Butte, Montana, where she endured the harsh winters with her two younger sisters and little brother, and where she learned the value of a dollar. When she was 8 years old, she would often accompany her father on road trips lasting several days, sleeping at night in their old Model T, going house to house selling bottles of extract. At age 12, after the family moved to a farm just outside of town, the family began raising pigs which they fed with corn purchased in large gunny sacks, and because the sacks came in different colors and designs, Elaine would pick out her favorites, which her mom would then use to sew into dresses and skirts for her. 

During her teenage years in Butte, Elaine loved school and had many friends. She was athletic, often claiming in later years to be a champion badminton player. While still in high school, she met the love of her life, Clynn Elwood Reber, who was serving as a missionary for the LDS Church. After completing his mission, Elwood returned home to Hurricane, Utah, and, shortly before he was deployed overseas during World War II, he was joined by Elaine and the two were married in the St. George Temple on November 2, 1944.

After the war, they embarked on their life together by building a beautiful home in Hurricane, Utah, where they began raising a family of what would be eight children. Later, in 1955, the little family moved to La Center, Washington, where they operated a dairy farm and ranch. She shared Elwood's hopes and dreams of milking cows, and growing corn, cantaloupe and other crops on the lower 200 acres of fertile farm land- until they awoke one morning in shock to find that the entire area was flooded with 3 feet of water from the spring overflow of the East Fork of the Lewis River, an event which they later learned occurred annually. Undaunted, through hard work, faith and love, Elaine created a home filled with warmth, laughter and happiness. And, most important, she taught her children by example the values of perseverance, hard work, honesty and integrity. 

Life on the farm wasn't always easy, but her children have fond memories of running down the lane after school to the comforting aroma of her hot homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, popcorn balls, pasties, and blackberry pies made from wild blackberries she gathered herself. Throughout her entire life, her kitchen was the heart of her home and a place where everyone felt welcome. She was also very thrifty and frugal, saving every penny to buy heating oil for the furnace, and also to ensure that her children had clothes for school, piano, voice and dance lessons for the girls, and sports gear for the boys. She taught her children the value of education and encouraged them to save money for church missions, college and other educational endeavors. She spent countless hours traveling hundreds of miles in support of her children, attending ball games, dance recitals and music competitions. She loved music of all kinds, including the Tabernacle Choir and old showtunes from musicals, and once even threatened to make all her kids take accordion lessons after watching a particularly rousing episode of the Lawrence Welk Show.

After 22 years of life on the farm, she and Elwood returned to southern Utah in 1977, where they built a beautiful home in Bloomington that served as a gathering place for her children and grandchildren, who spent countless hours swimming in the pool, playing on the swings and merry-go-round, or helping in the garden. She continued to show her love and support for her family by hosting family dinners on holidays and special occasions, and by cheering on her grandchildren at their basketball games, soccer games, gymnastic competitions and dance recitals. 

After Elwood suffered a stroke in 1999, she and Elwood moved to a home in Bloomington Hills where she patiently and lovingly provided round-the-clock care for Elwood until he passed away in 2006. Despite feeling an overwhelming sense of loss at Elwood's passing, her home continued to be the gathering place for the family, until she begrudgingly was forced to relinquish her independence by moving in with her daughter, Renee, in Santa Clara, and then, later, with her daughter, Darla, in Athens, Georgia. But through it all she continued to be the family matriarch, a shining beacon for her children and grandchildren until the time of her passing. 

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many church positions, including Relief Society President and Primary President, and she devoted her life to living the gospel and setting an example of kindness, service, and integrity. She taught her children to love one another, to work hard, and to stand for what is right.

Elaine is survived by her loving children: Janice (Gene) Morley, of Vancouver, Washington; Fay Reber, of St. George, Utah; Ron (Nanette) Reber, of St. George, Utah; Steven (Mardi) Reber, of Salt Lake City, Utah; David Reber, of Washington, Utah; Scott (Tara) Reber; and Darla (Jeff) McComb, of Athens, Georgia. Her passing leaves a large void in the lives of her children, 22 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren who will forever cherish her love, her wisdom, and the memories she created with them.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elwood, on January 16, 2006; her eldest daughter, Renee Reber Boyce, in 2024; her eldest granddaughter, Jenee Boyce, in 1975; her eldest grandson, Thomas Boyce, in 1973; and her twin great-granddaughters, Marley and Macey Richards, in 2009.

Her life's journey complete, she leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and family that will continue through generations, as those who knew her remember her strength, her tenderness, and her unfailing devotion to those she loved.

Funeral services for Elaine will be held at Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, with a viewing from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Hurricane Cemetery in Hurricane, Utah. 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Friends and family are invited to sign her online guestbook below.