Doris J. Hayes Bethers

Doris J. Hayes Bethers, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend slipped peacefully through the veil at her home on October 28, 2013. Mom suffered a steady physical and mental decline as a result of dementia, yet when visited, her spontaneous smiles and excitement would melt our hearts.

Doris was born March 13, 1927 in Quincy, Florida to Foriece Wilborn Hayes and Eulah Alderman. Her mother was a widow with seven children when she met Foriece. After their marriage, they added six more children, Mom's childhood was during the depression era and her parents were share croppers. As a family, they learned the value of hard work to obtain the necessities of life. This value became mom's trademark. Even though life was difficult, she excelled in school and loved learning, reading, music, cooking, homemaking and gardening.

Through deepening physical and spiritual trials in her life, mother came to know and love the Savior. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she turned her love of learning to the doctrines of the gospel. She was an excellent teacher and taught in many capacities in her church assignments. Her personal witness of the Savior and individual teaching moments with her family has left a lasting impression and legacy of faith.

She married William Harvey Cox Sr. on December 27, 1945. They had three children: Eddie R. Cox, Jurelle Marjorie Cox, and William Harvey Cox Jr. They were later divorced and Doris moved her family to Utah from Florida hoping for a better life for her children. In January 1989, she married Howard M. Bethers in the Salt Lake Temple. Her children have been sealed to her and Howard and mom delights in the blessings of an eternal family. Dad's attentive care and love for Doris until the end demonstrates the essence of true love and manhood.

A special thanks to her daughter, Jurelle, who nurtured, loved, and cared for her and dad during these difficult years. Mom will be forever grateful.

Doris is survived by her husband, Howard; son, Eddie (Mary) Cox of Salt Lake, daughter, Jurelle Cox of Salt Lake, son, William (Carrie) of West Jordan; stepchildren, Lloyd (Karen) Bethers of Sandy, Connie (Shawn) Faux of Pleasant Grove, and Larry (Ellen) Bethers of Chicago; two sister-in-laws, Jennie Bethers of Bountiful and Jeanie Bethers of Dell City, OK; and sole remaining sibling, Newell Callan Hayes of Atlanta, GA. She has 24 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces spread across the country.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Poplar Grove Ward located at the corner of Navajo (about 1400 West) and 7th South Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with services beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 South Redwood Road.

Funeral Home:
Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray
4760 So. State Street
Murray, UT