Sept. 4, 1940-Aug. 7, 2024
Anna May Oliphant, 83, passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2024, in Hurricane, Utah.
Despite the handicapped nature of her body, her recent life journey was one of courage, perseverance, a determination to improve and an almost constant desire to be a light to all around her. She was grateful to the wonderful caregivers and hospice workers who cared for her in her final months. Most of all her sweet husband Clair Oliphant who took care of her every need for the last five years.
Born Sept. 4, 1940, to William Hollis Freeman and Annie Wihanto Freeman, Anna May had an adventure-filled childhood growing up on Springwood Avenue in Stoughton, Massachusetts, with her parents and four siblings William, James, Roberta and Richard “Dick.” As self-described “little hellions,” the children would always be playing with their neighbors, ice skating on Harris Pond, causing some type of small well-intentioned mischief or getting into some sort of pickle.
During her teenage years, Anna May enjoyed drama club, was part of the school newspaper group and student council, was active socially in the Methodist Youth Fellowship and, like many young women of the era, dreamed of attending her prom. At the age of 15, Anna May took her first job at Johanson’s Bakery in Stoughton Square for a wage of $1/hour, which she worked until graduation from Stoughton High School in 1958. This job allowed her to pay for her own clothes and shoes, as well as contribute to assisting her family at times. She then took a job with John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Boston, traveling on the train each day with her friend Dottie who ended up marrying her brother Jim.
On Dec. 15, 1962, Anna May, together with her beloved Aunt Martha Wihanto, was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, continuing a life-long journey to grow closer to her Savior Jesus Christ. It was a decision that filled her heart with joy every day of her remaining life. Shortly after joining the church, Anna May married her first husband, a relationship that lasted 18 years and led to the birth of three sons: Gregory, Dale and Brion. After spending several years as a military wife in the Philippines, she primarily raised her sons in Riverton, Utah. During this time, Anna May worked as an interior decorator for Sears, Roebuck & Company in Salt Lake City where she was among the top three salespeople throughout the Utah/Idaho region in multiple years. Following a desire to be closer to home, she took a job with Luxury Line Draperies in Riverton, a business of which she eventually became an owner.
The 1980s were a turbulent time for Anna May as she endured a painful second marriage. Following her divorce, Anna May moved with her 10-year-old son Brion to Southern California in 1988 where she eventually met and married one of the loves of her life, Perry Moss. Together they lived in Westminster where she worked as an instructional and computer lab aide for grades K-4 with the Garden Grove Unified School District. Following retirement in 1999, she and Perry served a church mission in the New Jersey Morristown Mission. Anna May felt very safe and loved with Perry. He had encouraged her to grow her mind, and she returned to school at Goldenwest College in the early 1990s where she earned high grades in her English and Art classes. She remarked later in life about the value to her self-esteem in realizing that she wasn’t the poor learner she had always considered herself to be.
In 2002, Perry and Anna May settled down for the remainder of their retirement in LaVerkin, Utah. Here they were close to several friends and surrounded by incredible red-hued landscapes with tall buttes and sweeping vistas. Anna May was able to blossom in this place as she developed her love of art, made friends and had many opportunities for leadership in church and the community. She served as a board member for several art organizations in Southern Utah and as the Fine Arts Director for the City of LaVerkin. During this time, she produced many beautiful works of art which have been passed on to her family. Prry passed away in 2013 after 23 years of marriage to Anna May.
Following prior encouragement from Perry to remarry, Anna May married Clair “CF” Oliphant in 2014. Clair has been another love of her life and provided her with years of smiles, laughter and care. Together they enjoyed acting like kids again and thoroughly enjoyed their time together after both experiencing the sickness and loss of their former spouse. Anna May always wanted a large family, and the addition of Clair’s eight children to her broad blended family was an immense blessing. Anna May expanded her heart as her family grew and had a special place for each of them. In 2019, she fell and experienced stroke-like symptoms. This required much daily care, which Clair diligently provided with his whole heart until her passing.
Anna May was a vibrant, faithful, passionate woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed many activities such as taking classes, walking, skating, dancing, teaching, learning, playing card games, talking with friends and family and helping people in any way possible. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served as a Relief Society President several times throughout her life. She had a deep love for temple attendance and belief in eternal marriage. She was a natural leader and would quickly and cheerfully find a task or a conversation for someone otherwise unengaged at one of her activities. If she ever saw anyone alone, sad or struggling, she would be drawn to them and immediately gain a new friend. Nowhere was this truer than at church She always wanted to share her love with others.
She is survived by her spouse Clair Oliphant of 10 years; children from her first marriage: Gregory Francom (Beverly), Dale Francom (Brenda) and Brion Francom (Brenda); stepchildren: Janet Bremmer (Robert), Teresa Friedrichs (Edgar), Mike Moss (Julie), Karen Risueño (Rick); Oliphant family: Karri Johnston, Kellie Spendlove (Merlin), Jackie Stone (Pat), Stephanie Sanders (Chai), Tracey James (John), Melanie Barlow (Troy), Mickie Westfall (Ray), Chad Oliphant (Terra). Altogether, her blended family includes 65 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren. Anna May is also survived by her cousin Diane Erickson, who she considered as a sister; and the spouses of her siblings: Cynthia, Dottie and Wayne; as well as from the Freeman clan two nephews, five nieces, nine great-nephews and five great-nieces. She also had many nieces and nephews from the Francom, Moss and Oliphant families that loved Aunt Anna May with all their hearts.
Anna May was the last surviving member of her immediate family and is preceded in death by her parents, William Hollis Freeman and Annie Wihanto; as well as her siblings William James, James William, Roberta Linda (Mann) and Richard Ray. She is also preceded in death by her loving husband, Perry Moss, of 23 years.
The family wishes to thank all the friends, ward members and caregivers who supported Anna May and Clair over the last five years. Special thank you to Applegate Hospice, Amada Senior Care, Nikki Carrell and Beehive Assisted Living.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. at the LaVerkin Chapel, 481 North Main St., LaVerkin, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday prior to services, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Toquerville Cemetery, Toquerville, Utah.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Click here to visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.
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