Betty Dayley

Our sweet mama returned to Heaven on Saturday, May 23, 2026. She was surrounded by her children singing their family song, “Carry On” as she slipped to the other side. We are sure the reunion she had with her beloved husband and 2 babies who died at birth, as well as her parents, siblings, and many other family members and friends was glorious.

Betty Jean Davis was born on July 2, 1929 to George Jefferson Davis and Jessie Ireta Nilsson in Shelley, Idaho. She was the 5th child of nine. She has 3 older brothers: Glen, Dwayne, and Melvin, and 1 older sister: Elaine. She later added 1 younger still born brother, 2 sisters who died as infants, and a younger brother who was 12 years younger than her: George Ray. She always said she helped to raise him.

Betty grew up in Tyhee, Idaho on a dairy farm. She lived in the same house from the time she was 5 years old until she got married.

After graduating from Pocatello High School, Betty went to cosmetology school and became a hairdresser. During this time she met Keith Lyle Dayley at a church fireside where her dad was the Bishop and the speaker.

Keith soon left for a 2 year mission for their church. During this time Betty worked in a hair salon for a while. She decided she needed to be around more young people so she went to BYU for a year.
When Keith returned home from his mission she was working as a secretary. Keith went straight to see her when he arrived in Pocatello, even before he went to his own home. They made plans to get together after work, but Betty said she was so sidetracked that the boss sent her home early.

Keith and Betty married in the Idaho Falls temple on Nov. 30, 1951. They had 6 children: Kevin Lyle (who died soon after birth), Susan Kay, Barry Lyle, Lesa Lyn, Connie Jean (who also died soon after birth), and Kurtis Jeff.

While living in Pocatello Betty continued to work as a hairdresser with her own shop in her home that she called, “Betty Jean’s Beauty Shop”.

The family lived in Pocatello, Idaho until 1972 when they moved to Miami FL, Irvine CA, and finally to Las Vegas NV. Betty and Keith moved to South Jordan, UT in 1991 into Cornerstone where mom resided until 10 months ago.

Betty has always been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings including those in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. She served in the Relief Society presidency multiple times, including as a Stake Relief Society President.
Betty had a great love of Family History. She left a great legacy to her children with books she wrote about their Davis and Nilsson ancestors.

In January 1999 Keith and Betty served a full time mission in the Family History Mission for 27 months. They loved doing this together.

Betty is survived by her brother, George Ray, 2 brothers in law - Bern(Margie) and Gerald (Sharon), 4 children – Susan Pulsipher (Dave), Barry Dayley (Bree), Lesa Reid (David), Kurtis Dayley (Laura), 22 grandchildren and spouses and many great grandchildren.

These past 10 months mom has been living in Assisted Living at Carrington Court. We want to thank the caregivers there for the kind and loving care they took of our mom when we couldn’t be there.
We also want to express our deep gratitude to Holiday Homecare, and especially our dear Angie, for the help she has given us in caring for mom these past couple of years. She is a true angel and we love her.

Mom’s greatest joy in life was her family. She always said her biggest accomplishment in life and the jewels in her crown in heaven would be her children and her grandchildren..

Mom was kind, gracious, and loving. Everyone who knew her, loved her.

She will be greatly missed on earth, but completely loved and welcomed in Heaven.

Funeral Services for Betty will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the River Ridge 8th Ward
1409 West Shields Lane, South Jordan, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026 from the hours of 6:00 - 8:00pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah and prior to the Funeral from 9:00 - 9:45 am at the chruch. Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho at 3:00pm on Saturday following the service.