Eva Pearl Okelberry Stoneman February 25, 1937 - January 1, 2024

Eva Pearl Okelberry Stoneman passed away on January 1, 2024 in Spanish Fork, Utah. She was born on February 25, 1937 to Earl and Gwendolyn Werrett Okelberry in Goshen, Utah. Eva had many fond memories of growing up in Goshen with a large circle of family and friends (who all knew her as Pearl). Although there were a few stories of her getting into trouble with friends Dianne and Winifred, Eva was best known for her sharp mind and strong work ethic. While excelling in school, she also learned to play the piano and organ. She also mastered knitting at an early age, and had several knitting projects going simultaneously her entire life. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will always cherish the custom-designed Christmas stockings Eva knit for them. Eva carried a love of learning throughout her life and made sure to pass on the importance of education to her children and grandchildren.

As far back as she could remember, Eva always wanted to be a nurse. She greatly admired her school nurse, Leona Curtis, whose compassion would influence her throughout her career. After graduating from Payson High School in 1955, Eva received a scholarship to Brigham Young University which she maintained throughout her schooling. She graduated with her BSN/RN nursing degree in 1959 and was thrilled to join Leona at the Utah County Health Department. Eva left the health department when her first child Paul was born in 1960. Between children, Eva worked at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. She worked in several departments and held leadership and education positions. At times she also worked a second job at El Rancho Nursing Home in Payson, where she loved and cared for the elderly residents there (as did her children who sometimes tagged along). In 1997, she received her master’s degree in nursing from BYU after many years of diligent study while working full time and raising a family. She then retired from UVRMC to begin teaching at her alma mater. Eva’s wealth of professional and personal experience made her a highly respected teacher. She retired from BYU in 2009, but maintained her nursing license so she could help in an emergency. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she was able to do just that by volunteering at vaccine clinics. In addition to her professional career as a nurse, Eva spent countless hours serving members of her family, her ward, and her community as they faced health challenges, old age, and death. She was untiring in her lifelong effort to employ The Healer’s art, whether giving medical advice or guiding friends and family through difficult challenges, whether in a hospital or at the bedside of a dying friend.

Eva married her perfect match and loving companion Jack Durant Stoneman in 1959, and together they raised six children. Even with her busy career, she made family a priority, always making time to attend countless school events, sporting events, recitals, graduations, baptisms, and the list goes on. She loved to camp in the mountains, and her children and grandchildren all have fond memories of camping trips near and far. Eva was a devoted mother, a loving aunt, and the ideal of a loving, generous, and caring grandmother. She was proud of her large family and enjoyed planning reunions to bring her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren together. Her home was a gathering place, not just for her children and grandchildren, but for extended family and friends, who were always fed whether they liked it or not. Eva loved to plan family dinners, where the motto was always “more is more” and “don’t leave until you’ve taken some leftovers.”

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in a number of callings, including ward Organist, ward Young Women’s President, ward Relief Society President, and stake Young Women’s President. Though she would accept any calling she received, her heart was always with the Young Women program. She and Jack also volunteered together as ordinance workers at the Provo Temple. Willing to serve until the very end of her life, she was sustained as ward Gospel Doctrine Teacher the day before her passing.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Gwen; her siblings Earl, Lily, William, and Lucile; her husband, Jack; and her daughter-in-law, Jeanette. She is survived by her six children Paul (Valrie), Earl (Andrea), Gary, Dianne, Jack (Mary), and Sarah; her sixteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; her brother David (Kathy); many beloved nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing Friday, January 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Spanish Fork Stake Center on 1006 East 200 South, Spanish Fork, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the same location with a viewing one hour prior to services. Interment will follow at the Goshen City Cemetery.