Gloria Clare Kidd Atkinson, 89, passed through the veil and was lovingly taken into the arms of the Savior March 4, 2023, surrounded by family at her daughter’s home in Grantsville, Utah. Gloria is survived by her four children Hollie (Errol) Bevan, Veda (Floyd) Salisbury, Roger (Linda) Atkinson, and Carolyn (Kim) Seeholzer. Gloria has 14 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Gloria was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gerald “Jerry” Ralph Atkinson Sept. 12, 2022; her parents; and all of her siblings Beth, Mahlon, Mary, Foryl, and Lawrie.
Gloria was born Dec. 25, 1933, in Kaysville, Utah, the youngest of six children born to Henry Mike Lee Kidd and Veda Hendricks Kidd. The family had an orchard and raised chickens, but after a storm took the trees, they moved back to Marysville, Idaho, where she attended the local school and was always very active in choirs and singing groups at both her school and church. Gloria was a gifted coloratura soprano and would travel around singing at various events.
After high school, Gloria worked in a spud cellar to earn enough money to go to California for a vacation. It was there she met the love of her life Jerry, who was introduced to her by her first cousin Val Kidd and his finance Norma Atkinson, who happened to be Jerry’s sister. After a long-distance courtship with Gloria living in Idaho and Jerry living in California, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple May 20, 1953. The young couple returned to California and lived in Modesto, where they raised their three daughters and one son.
Over the years, they would also live in Smithfield, Snowville, West Valley City, Newton, Stansbury Park, and Grantsville (all in Utah), where Gloria always faithfully served in her local ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, setting a lifetime example to her children and grandchildren with her devotion and love of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Gloria was faithful in sharing her God-given talent of a beautiful singing voice, and in sharing her artistic talents for which she created and painted numerous full-size wall murals and scenery for Gold and Green balls, road shows, Primary and Scouting activities and events.
Gloria loved her daily readings of all of the scriptures, and especially loved reading her Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. She had a strong testimony the Savior, and found many answers to prayers, spiritual guidance, and especially great peace and comfort to her heart as she read and studied the scriptures. Among some of her favorite callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were her blessing to sing with her husband in the choir for the dedication of the Oakland California Temple; her wonderful call to serve side by side with her husband Jerry when they were called to serve as aids for almost five years to the local Cambodian Branch President in West Valley City, Utah; and their great opportunity to serve together in both the Jordan River and Logan Utah Temples.
At the age of 60, Gloria suffered a major stroke that took her singing voice and caused her to have trouble speaking; however, she still offered her whole heart to the Lord in struggling to continue singing the best she could. Gloria dearly loved her family and always enjoyed being with them as stories and remembrances were told and retold. Her great-grandchildren affectionately called her “Great.”
A viewing will be held March 11, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Newton Chapel, 12 S. 100 West, Newton, Utah, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A family memorial service will be held prior to the burial at the Newton Cemetery, with no formal services. The family is very appreciative of the compassionate service provided by the Canyon Homecare and Hospice team members, the Cache Valley Mortuary, and the Newton 2nd Ward Relief Society.