| Notes |
- I was born on 17 May 1898 in Salt Lake City, S-Lk County, Utah at thehome of my parents on 221 J. Street, located on 4th Avenue. I was the first daughter and fifth child born to John Francis Gunn and Mary Ann Deseret Jackson. Preceding me were brothers; John Francis (Frank), Walter Leslie (Walt), Benjamin LeRoy (Roy) and William David Owen (Bill).
When I was still a baby we moved to 323 H Street where six more children were born; Alice, Lawrence Jackson, Viola (Vi) Jackson, Clifford Jackson (Cliff), Daisy Jackson and Zelma Jackson.
My father, John Francis Gunn, was born 19 September 1868 in Salt Lake City, S-Lk County, Utah, the son of Benjamin Gunn and Alice Bowdidge.
My mother, Mary Ann Deseret Jackson, was born 19 September 1870 in Logan, Cache County, Utah, the daughter of Mary Ann Owen and Thomas R. Jackson.
I was blessed by my father on 3 July 1898 in the Twenty-First Ward, Salt Lake Stake. I was baptized 4 August 1906, in the Twentieth Ward, Ensign Stake. I remember well the day I was baptized in the baptistery of the Tabernacle on Temple Square. The fathers didn't have the privilege of baptizing their children then. The Priests of the Stake were assigned to take care of it. I was baptized by Mathanial Thomas, a Priest. He baptized his son, David first and then me. Baptismal clothes were not furnished so we wore our own clothes. I had a nice, heavy white dress and long white stockings that I wore. There were a lot of children to be baptized and we took up two or three rows. We all stood on the benches so we could see while waiting our turn. I was confirmed the next day in Fast and Testimony Meeting by my father, John Francis Gunn.
During school hours we had to march to and from class. One day when I was marching a button broke and my red flannel petticoat, with crocheted lace on the bottom, fell off. Embarrassed, I grabbed it up fast hoping not too many had seen it. Later, a fellow that worked with Val, and had been in my class, told Val he remembered me and the day I lost my red petticoat at school.
My childhood was very happy. We enjoyed many family picnics and other activities. I roamed the hills north of Salt Lake City with my brothers, sisters and friends. Father used to take us hiking in City Creek Canyon where we spent many happy hours and had pleasant experiences. Digging Sego Lily bulbs was a lot of fun for us. I can remember even today what good eating they were. One Sunday we walked up to 6th Avenue and B Street, Dad pointed to a spot and said "That is where the State Capital is to be built". His statement always came to my mind when the Capital was finally built on that spot.
When we lived on 323 H Street, we had a large dog. It was good natured until someome shot it in the ear. During a 4th of July celebration, he was spooked by an exploding firecracker and jumped up on a little girl. Dad was told he had to dispose of the dog so he took him up in the hills and killed him.
When I was six years old, I contracted small pox from my older brother, Walt. All nine children had it. My mother then took sick and she was the sickest of all. We were living at 323 H Street at the time. A storekeeper in the neighborhood had a son with the disease. He had him concealed in his home in back of the store. My brother would go to the store for mother before going to school and had come in contact with the small pox in this way. A number of cases resulted from that source.
When we lived on the avenues, the stairs leading to the front door were not completed, so dad put wood planks to walk on. We children were alone at home one day when an Indian Squaw knocked on our door. We were too frightened to open the door so I called out that we couldn't open the door because we all had the measles. The Squaw turned and bounced down the planks as fast as she could go. She was more frightened than we were.When I was twelve, my mother let me wear her engagement ring. I went outside to bring my brothers and sisters in from the sand pile to bathe and get ready for bed. They were nearly through with the sand castle they were building so I helped them finish. Forgetting I had the ring on I brushed the sand off my dress and the ring flew off. It was getting dusk so fast, I looked for the ring and couldn't see it. I sent the children in then knelt down and asked my Heavenly Father to help me find it. When I stood up the ring was right at the toe of my shoe. That has always influenced my life as to the value of faith and prayers. I have seen many incidents in my life where the sick have been healed through prayer and by the laying on of hands. Being the eldest daughter there was always plenty to do. When my youngest sister, Zelma, was born I was just past twelve. The next to the youngest was just twenty-one months old. I took care of the home with the cooking, ironing, cleaning and looking after my younger brothers and sisters. My grandmothers, aunts and older brothers use to help.
On 4 August 1915 we moved to 3064 Highland Drive. I was seventeen at the time. The Gunn family lived there until 1940 when dad sold it for $3,000.00. It later became valuable commercial property.
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The Deseret News
October 16, 2000
Rhoda Deseret Gunn Stay born 17 May 1898 in Salt Lake City to John Francis and Mary Ann Gunn. Entered into eternal life 12 October 2000 at Salt Lake City. Married Wilford Valentine Stay 14 June 1917 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
Rhoda was an active lifetime member of the LDS Church serving in several callings. Along with her husband she served a full time mission for her church in Nebraska where she touched many souls for good. She worked in the Salt Lake Temple as an ordinance worker for 16 years. Rhoda was a devoted mother and delighted in cooking and sewing for her seven children. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
Her sweetheart returned to heaven in 1971. She is survived by her children; Mary Fern Rice, Salt Lake, Betty Jean and Chet Bailey, Salt Lake, VaLois Ruth Strait, Salt Lake, Wilford (Bill) Gunn and Norma Stay, Thousand Palms, CA, Val Gunn and Phyllis Stay, Murray, Utah, Dennis Gunn and Maxine Stay, Orem, 25 granchildren, 122 great-grandchildren, 54 great great-grandchildren, and one sister Daisy Hantz, Monette, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by a daughter; Rhoda Myrtle Wixom, sons-in-law; Blaine Wixom, Walt Rice, and great-grandsons; Moroni Strait and Korbet Rice, Otho Strait, and also a grandson, Walton Rice.
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1898 - 2000 (102 years)
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