Zelda Ella Stoddard

On October 24, 1914 a great event occurred. A baby girl was born in Richmond, Utah to John Alfred (Fred) and Jane Amelia Smith Bateman. She was given the name Zelda Ella Bateman. Mom grew up in Richmond, Utah attending schools there and graduated from North Cache High School in 1932. Growing up in Richmond, she knew and fell in love with Noel Thomas Stoddard, and they were married May 19, 1937 in the Logan Temple

After living the first five years in a back addition to Dad's parents’ home, Mom and dad bought their home in Richmond and worked together on the family farm. They lived all the rest of their lives in the same house, which was built by mom's grandfather, James Lavender Bateman. Dad passed away on October 12, 1995.

Mom also worked outside the home at various jobs including the Post Office, Theurer's Store and as a secretary at North Cache Middle School- all in Richmond. She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and shared her love of music by playing the piano and organ in the South, 2nd and 4th wards for a total of 75 years, retiring at age 90.

Mom is survived by her two children, Nola (Larry) Johnson and Thomas Ray Stoddard, both currently living in Richmond. She had a life-long hope and wish to be able to live in her own home and to die in her own bed. Mom was granted her wish, passing away on June 3, 2019 at the age of 104 years, 7 months and 10 days.  She has a loving legacy of 12 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Millie Bateman; her brothers, baby Alton, Albert (Maurine) Bateman, Lee (Bertha) Bateman; her sisters, baby Irma, Violet (LaMont) Bair, Wanda (Evan) Spackman, Laurel (Glen) Gyllenskog; by a son-in-law, Larry D. Johnson, one grandson, one great granddaughter, and by one great grandson.

Mom was an excellent cook and took pride in not letting anyone leave her home while hungry. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the Encompass Hospice staff for the loving care they gave our mother and grandmother during these last months, especially Jane, Arlene, Rachel, Tawnie and Denise.

We are honoring Zelda's wishes to have a graveside service which will be held on Friday, June 7, 2019 at 12:00 noon in the Richmond Utah Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com