Anna Barnes Mather

Anna Eliza Barnes Mather passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Sunshine Terrace where she was lovingly cared for.
Anna was born May 1, 1914 to Henry and Nellie Barnes in Smithfield, Utah. She was the third child in a family of eight children and was raised in Smithfield, Utah. On April 3, 1937, she married Thomas Edgar Mather. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan L.D.S. Temple. Anna has three children, Thomas Edgar "Eddie" Pat of Preston, Idaho; William Jay "Bill" Jan of Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Katherine "Kathy" Christiansen Mike of Smithfield, Utah. She also has 16 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.
Over the years, she served in many capacities, but her love of children made the 25 years she served in Primary and Scouts her favorite years of service.
Anna worked in a variety of jobs. As a young woman, she worked for the Claypool Lumber Company in Smithfield. Later, as her family grew older, she was the first woman salesperson in Cache Valley for the Grand Union Company. Monday through Friday she traveled the back roads of Cache Valley taking and delivering orders for Grand Union home supplies. Later, she worked for the Smithfield Clinic, Logan L.D.S. Hospital, and a variety of individual households.
She enjoyed many friends and family associations. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and loved any occasion that brought her family or friends together. No matter the season, her home was always open and warm to visitors. None of her family will ever forget her Sunday pot roast dinners.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy; brothers, Jack and Boyd Barnes; sisters, Winnie Holland, Lucille Holt, Gwen Lindeman, and Afton Carlsen; and two grandsons, Brett and Troy Mather.
Anna has been a true example of unconditional love and Christian living in her service and life. She has been a woman of strength, integrity, joy in living life, and courageous endurance to the end. In one of her writings, she wrote, "When you look back on your life and remember what it was like, I guess you might sometimes wonder if it was worth it. Through all the good and the bad, I don't think I would change a thing." That was Anna - always the optimist!
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 2, 2012 at 12 Noon, in the Smithfield LDS Ward Chapel, 640 North 200 East. There will be viewings on Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main Street, Smithfield and at the Church on Monday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Smithfield Cemetery.