On February 11, 2025, our sassy, free-spirited cowgirl—beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend—Beverly Jeanne Ekker Taylor, returned to Heaven for a joyful reunion with her dear husband, Parry; her parents; her sisters and brothers; and her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was 90 years old.
Mom was born on May 15, 1934, in Eureka, Utah, to Richard and Marjorie ‘Marj’ Eleanor Pritchett Ekker. She was raised on the Ekker Ranch, surrounded by the Sheeprock Mountains and the beautiful western Utah desert. Alongside her four sisters, she learned to work cattle, put up hay, and fix fences. She was homeschooled by her mother and graduated from high school in 1952.
Mom loved hunting, riding horses, and rock-hounding. In the summer of 1957, she met Dad when he was sent to bring the Ekker girls to Deseret to try out for the Days of the Old West Rodeo Royalty. Her sister, Ann, was crowned queen, with Jeanne as her attendant. That same year, Parry was named All-Around Cowboy. She fell in love with the cowboy, and they were married on June 7, 1958, in Hinckley.
Mom was a talented artist and leather crafter. Many of her family members and friends were gifted hand-tooled belts, wallets, or purses. She loved painting and crocheting. A master canner, she spent June through November preserving food, not only for our family but also for others in our small town of Hinckley. Her bread and cinnamon rolls were heavenly, and she taught herself to make cheese, yogurt, and cream puffs.
She was the proud mother of four daughters and taught us how to cook, shoot a gun, and ride a horse. For decades, she was a 4-H leader who taught gardening, horsemanship, veterinary science, canning, and baking. For over thirty years, she was the secretary of the Millard County Stock Show. Her love of animals was evident in everything she did. She passed this love on to her daughters and grandchildren, teaching them the importance of responsibility, stewardship, and respect for the land and the animals that depended on it.
Mom had a deep love for agriculture, a passion that extended far beyond her upbringing on the ranch. She dedicated much of her life to working in the agricultural field in various capacities, including at IFA, Oasis Seed, and the Delta Livestock Auction. Her work connected her with farmers, ranchers, and livestock producers throughout the region, and she was widely respected for her knowledge, hard work, and genuine love of the industry. She had a special way of connecting with people and was always willing to lend a helping hand or share her expertise.
Mom joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when her oldest daughter was baptized. She served in the Primary and Relief Society and sang in the Hinckley Ward Choir for many years. Her favorite calling was as a compassionate service leader. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel and wanted to have her family together forever. So on January 19, 1978, Parry and Jeanne took their four daughters to the Manti Temple, where they were sealed for time and all eternity.
Above all, Mom was adored by her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was their biggest supporter, cheering them on at volleyball games, wrestling matches, track meets, rodeos, stock shows, and school plays. Her love and memory will live on through them.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Parry; son-in-law, Shaun Pearson; sisters, Betty Thomas and Josephine Tolley; beloved brothers and sisters-in-law. She is survived by her four daughters: Tammy Pearson, Marjorie Adams (Phil), Becky Taylor, and Beverly Carter (Russell); 14 grandchildren; and 16 and a half great-grandchildren; sisters, Ann Alloway and Patsy Holden.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 20, at 11:00 am, at the Delta West Stake Center in Hinckley, Utah. Viewings will be held on Wednesday evening, 6:00-7:30 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Thursday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Those unable to attend are invited to view the recorded video of the service . She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Parry, at the Hinckley Cemetery.