Velma grew up in a tight-knit little farming community in southern Idaho. She learned hard work with a joyful spirit from her dear mother. Life on the farm taught her to appreciate the simple joys of family working together side by side. Velma attended school in Oakley and was always a good student. She loved to learn and grow and was a life-long learner. She cherished her friendships and enjoyed being a part of life in a wonderful small town.

Above all else, she was kind through and through. She spoke kindly, acted kindly, and lived with kindness and grace. She loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her testimony shone in her goodness. She loved music of all kinds and fostered that love in her children and grandchildren. Her legacy is in her posterity, the love and kindness she embodied, and the music she loved and shared.

Velma married Wayne R. Boothe in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 9, 1949. She started and ended her career in public education teaching 3rd and 4th grades for one year in Pleasant Plains, Idaho, before starting her lifetime role as mother of 7 children, 40 grandchildren, and 116 great-grandchildren.

Through the years, she served as Stake Drama Director, Primary and Sunday School Chorister, Relief Society and Young Women’s Counselor, Primary and Young Women President, YW Advisor, Primary and Relief Society Teacher, Stake Genealogy Committee Member, Cub Scout Leader, and Bishop’s Wife. She and Wayne served as Ward Missionaries, Stake Missionaries, Humanitarian Service Missionaries, Special Needs Missionaries, CES Missionaries, and full-time CES Missionaries in the Texas, Edinburgh Mission with responsibility for the Institute at the University of Pan America in McAllen, Texas.

Since her husband’s passing in July of 2018, Velma lived with her oldest daughter and her husband, Karen and Terry Foster, of Orem. She loved being so close to family! Karen and Terry provided a loving environment where she enjoyed lots of fun adventures. Her friend, Becky Doxey, helped Mom develop her artistic and crafting talents over the last two years. Beginning in 2021, Velma moved to the Hearthstone Manor in Spanish Fork where she found many new friends. Her family expresses thanks to the wonderful staff of Hearthstone Manor who loved and cared for her in the final months of her life.

Velma died on March 21, 2022, in Spanish Fork, Utah. As a daughter, sister, friend, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she is beloved and cherished.

Velma is survived by her children, Randy (Susan) of Spanish Fork, Steve (Karen) of Salem, Karen Foster (Terry) of Orem, Layne (Noelle) of Herriman, Dallan (Kamille) of Mapleton, Marcie Jenkins (John) of Harrisville, and daughter-in-law, LouElla Boothe, 40 grandchildren, and 116 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, parents, step-father, Leo Hobdey, one sister, Betty LuDean Prentice, one brother, William Howard Wells, a son, Michael Clark Boothe (Lou Ella) a son-in-law, Ron Breinholt, a grandson, Joshua Boothe, and a great-granddaughter, Cadence Gonzales.

Funeral services for Velma Jean Wells Boothe will be held Monday, March 28th, at 11 a.m. at the Aspen Meadows chapel located at 1661 South 1400 East, in Spanish Fork. A viewing is scheduled on Monday morning at the chapel from 9:00 -10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkermemorials.com