Julia Lavern Boyce Mink Chappell
Julia Lavern Boyce Mink Chappell
1931 – 2022
Julia was born on December 8, 1931 in Hagerman, Idaho. She was the 12th and last child born to Alvin Elijah Boyce and Minnie Alaura Byington.
Her childhood years were spent in Idaho. As a child and young woman she lived during the depression. Her father was a shepherd. Her mother cared for the children and worked hard ironing and cleaning to help contribute financially. Three days before Julia’s 12th birthday, her brother was killed in Italy while serving as a paratrooper in World War II. Difficult conditions and events in her childhood instilled in her strength, determination, and perseverance. She was hard-working, frugal, clean, organized, and faithful to her covenants and commitments. She set an example of honesty and integrity. After high school graduation, she attended school in San Francisco and graduated as a dental assistant.
Her desire was an eternal marriage and a happy eternal family. Julia married Oscar Gorton Mink, a newly baptized member of the Church, on September 9, 1950 in Glenns Ferry, Idaho and one year later they were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. A few months after their sealing, their first child was born. A total of six children were born to them in seven years: Bashawn, Michael David, Oscar Wesley, Debbie, Alaura, and Julie Lois.
During the first seven years of their marriage, Oscar was serving in the military and attending university which meant lots of moving. The children were born in California, Georgia, Utah, and New York. Oscar graduated from Brigham Young University and later graduated with his doctorate degree from Cornell University.
Julia took a class or two when she could. She had a yearning to receive an education and a great desire to learn new things. Julia was a dedicated mother. She lovingly taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to her children. She was committed to keeping her covenants, serving in Church callings, and guiding, counseling, and encouraging her children. Each of her children had instilled in them the knowledge that they could achieve anything. They knew of her dedication and enduring love for them. She listened to them, helped them, and encouraged them. She was a very successful mother.
Julia graduated from college with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and completed her Master’s degree in Library Science. She reached this milestone at about the same time her last child graduated from high school. Within a year of receiving her Master’s degree, Julia applied for and was hired by the historical department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. These were happy fulfilling years; reading, cataloguing, organizing and serving.
She served three missions for the Church. Her first mission was to the Family History Library in Mesa, Arizona. She then served at the Lone Peak Seminary in Utah. Later, she served as a Name Extraction missionary. She also loved serving in the temple as both a patron and an ordinance worker.
After leaving her job in Salt Lake City, she lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Denver, Colorado, Mesa, Arizona, Orem, Utah, Provo, Utah, and Eagle, Idaho, before settling again in Provo, Utah. She moved 33 times during her life.
Her greatest joy was her family of six children, along with their spouses, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. She strived to instill in her grandchildren the desire to acquire a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In preparation for their baptism, and as an 8th birthday gift, Grandma Chappell gave each grandchild a set of scriptures with their name engraven on the cover.
Julia Lavern Boyce Mink Chappell passed away December 16, 2022 in her home at the age of 91.
We are grateful for her life and the example she has set. Her surviving children and spouses are Bashawn Relf, Michael (Kathy) Mink, Oscar (Susie) Mink, Debbie Hooge, Alaura (Rulon) Ramsey, and Julie (Devin) Durrant. She is also survived by 32 grandchildren, 111 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. We will miss her presence, but we will be faithful heirs and continue her legacy.