Bernice Nelson Pickett

July 15, 1932 — Aug. 8, 2017

Our wonderful, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt Bernice Nelson Pickett passed away on Aug. 8, 2017, at her home in St. George.

Bernice was born on July 15, 1932, in Kanab to Jonathan Pratt Nelson and Polly Abigail Judd. She was the eighth of 12 children.

Bernice spent many of her summers on Kaibab Mountain in Arizona, where her dad and uncles were loggers. She really loved her time spent there and had wonderful memories from those years. Other summers her family moved around as her dad worked in sawmills in other areas.

When she was young her family moved to Hatch. At the age of 6 she moved to St. George with her family where she spent most of her life, attending elementary, junior high and Dixie High School.

Bernice loved children and babysat often through her teen years for her sisters and other families in the area. She later had jobs at Dixie Theater, Pickett Lumber Company and then at Pembrokes in Salt Lake City.

Bernice was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served a mission in the Eastern States Mission, spending time in Memphis and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Throughout the years she served in many callings for the church in Primary and Relief Society.

On May 26, 1961, she married Elmer Squire Pickett for time and all eternity in the St. George LDS Temple. He was a widower and she became a mother to his six children. Together, they added four more children to the family. She loved all 10 unconditionally.

Bernice is survived by three of her children: Micheline Alldredge (Doug) of Mesa, Arizona; Vaughn of St. George, Utah; and Lisa Jennings (Alpine) of Bloomington, Illinois; five of her stepchildren: Garth (Kathy) of Los Altos Hills, California; Bruce (Kathy) of St. George, Utah; Jeanene Benson (Gary) of Bloomington, Illinois; Kevin (Pam) of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Brian (JoAnn) of Middleton; plus 40 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Don Nelson of Spanish Fork. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; her daughter Jeri; her stepdaughter Pamela Riddle; and her stepgrandson Spencer Riddle; along with her parents; seven sisters; and three brothers.

The family would like to give thanks to Zion’s Way Hospice and DeAnn Jensen for the care they gave to their mom the last couple of months of her life. Also to Dr. Tom Jones for his great care and concern of her for many years.

Funeral services

  • Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. at the Flood Street LDS chapel, 85 S. 400 East.
  • A viewing will be held on Friday evening, Aug. 18, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, from 5-7 p.m. and at the church prior to the funeral from 9-10:30 a.m.
  • Interment will be at the St. George Cemetery immediately following the funeral.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.

For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.

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