Velva Gene Smith Jeppson

Velva Gene Smith Jeppson, 89, passed peacefully away at Cache Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care in Providence, Utah on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Velva was born to loving parents, Bois Melvin Smith and Winona Elizabeth Rorabough Smith on August 26, 1936 in Shattuck, Oklahoma. She had an older sister, Melva Dene Smith Roach and younger brother, Joseph Wesley Smith, both previously deceased.

Velva loved babies and wanted her mother to go to the hospital and bring home another one, thinking it was just that easy. She shared many stories from her childhood, such as hitting her toe with a sharp hoe to get out of weeding cotton when she was 5. Her grandmother bandaged her toe and sent her back to hoe. Another time she climbed into the attic to see baby birds only to fall through the ceiling onto the table while her mother was preparing dinner. 

Velva and her family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was 14. Two years later Velva met her sweetheart Jared Leon Jeppson at a church activity while he was serving in the Air Force in Amarillo. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 2, 1953 and were blessed with 10 children: Dorthy, Melvin (Kimberly), Jeppa (Joannie), Ruth, Denise (James Shelton), Michael, Joseph (Salli), Eugene, Daniel (Lisa) and George Jared. Her posterity includes 36 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. She lost her husband Jared to cancer in 1991 and Dorthy to cancer in 1998.

After Jared left the Air Force they lived in Henefer, Utah; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Ogden, Mountain Green and Park Valley, Utah.

Velva enjoyed teaching her children to pray and read, sew and tie quilts, bake, can, and serve others. She sang and lovingly nurtured us when we were sick, hurt, lonely or sad. She served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Relief Society, Primary, Cub Scouts, Librarian, Extraction Worker, and Nursery Leader. She was an exceptional visiting teacher and her favorite calling was serving in the Logan Temple for 11 years. We are blessed to have her as our mother, grandmother and friend. 

Velva loved and followed Jesus Christ. She always put other people first and gave all she had if someone was in need. We are grateful for her beautiful smiles, unconditional love and righteous example. She taught us, “Our family is our greatest treasure now and in eternity” and “a family that prays together, stays together.” She looked forward to reuniting with our father for over 34 years! She will be greatly missed, but we are happy for her! We would like to thank family, friends, Cache Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care and Hospice workers for their visits, kindness and tender care.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. at Cobblestone 2nd Ward, 420 West 100 North, Providence, Utah. Interment in Logan City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, choose to be like her: Be kind, serve others, smile more, play games with your family and make cherished memories!