La Reine Meacham Jackson wrote this story:
"The Life of La Reine & Alma Jackson"
As I look back over our lives, many things have happened to us. First, I want to think of my parents, Fayette and Eliza Ann Adair Meacham. They were great parents, they taught me the right way of life, was taught to attend church meetings, as you know we are all Latter-Day Saints. They taught us by example.
We were raised in Southern Utah,in Widtsoe and Tropic. I was born in Widtsoe, Garfield, Utah. I left there when I was five years old, and moved to Benjamin,,Utah. There I started first Grade. My brother, Arthur, and I started school together. He is two years older than I am. We didn't like school, so we didn,t go. There was a river that ran through Benjamin, close to our home, and we would go down on the banks of the river and play until school was out, then we would go home. One day the teacher called our parents to let them know we were not in school. Well, that ended that.
After living in Benjamin, my parents decided to move to Garfield. My father was employed at the Garfield or Magna Mills. We lived there about three years, then moved into Salt Lake City, at 3118 South West Temple. I started third grade there. Dad and Mother had a grocery store on 33rd South West Temple for many years. Dad also continued to work at the Magna Mills.
There were eleven brothers and sisters in my family. They are: Delwin, Della, Grace, Thelma, Ethel, Wendell, Arthur, La Reine, La Monte, Jewel, and Lowell. We were all taught to work and to love one another.
As children growing up, we had children's games. We played Run Sheep Run, Kick the Can, Hide and Go Seek, and others. Once a year we would go to Liberty Park and Lagoon. The Fourth of July and 24th of July were our big outings and we were always greatful for the good times we had together. We learned to swim down on the Cottonwood Creek at 39th South and Second West. This was our swimming pool.
When I was 13 years old I became very ill with the flu, complications. It caused me to have an enlarged heart and liver problems. I was in the hospital for five months, and the doctors said I would never live. But the Elders of the Church kept coming and giving me blessings. One elder had the privilege of having the Healing Power given to him, and a Miracle was performed, I was out ot the hospital in two weeks. The doctor could not believe it.
We were blessed with a daughter, La Rae, and a son, De Wayne.
Our family went on many fishing trips and also to Canada, the North West, Northern and Southern California. It was great to do these things together.
La Rae is married to Frances M. Snell. They have five children, Tim W., Sherrie Lynn, Debra Annette, Christine Teresa, and Craig Langford Snell.
De Wayne is married to Shirley Parker. They have four wonderful children: Julie Ann, Scott De Wayne, Kara Lyn, and Kent Bryant Jackson.
We have had some very fun times together with our family. De Wayne and his family have some rubber rafts and go on many river trips. We have been on fun trips with La Rae & Frank and would love to spend more time together doing fun things.
Alma Jackson and I married February 3, 1932. We had a cute little four room home on 33rd South and Second East. We lived there three months and then moved to Garden Avenue (142 East 2900 South in Salt Lake City). Later we built a home at 3210 South Main Street. It was in the Miller Ward and South Lake Stake.
Alma worked for his father in the Jackson Service Station at 33rd South Main Street for $40.00 a month. We really had to struggle to make ends meet. We married during the depression years. Alma worked long hours. We had many ups and downs.
As time went on, we became very active in the church. Alma was First Counselor in the Bishopric with Bishop Main Stauffer, he spent 7 1/2 years in this calling. Then he was the Stake Mission President's secretary. Then back to the ward to serve as Ward Clerk for eight years in the Miller Ward.
I served in the Miller Ward as a Junior Sunday School Teacher and Secretary, as Primary Teacher and the Girls Program Chairman, as well as Stake L.D.S. Girls Counselor and Ward M.I.A. President
assistant to the Homemaking Counselor in the Relief Society.
We sold our home on June 3, 1961, and moved out to the Cottonwood area. We love it out here. The church put us both to work. Alma has been a counselor and secretary to five High Priests Group Leaders. He is now serving as Clerk to Bishop Jay Thompson. He was sustained May 12, 1978 at the age of 68 years.
Alma worked for General Motors for eleven years and for Arnold Machinery for 25 years. He was a Service Manager for both. For the last four years at Arnold Machinery, he served as Teacher's Trainer for the Utah and Idaho groups. He retired March 1, 1977.
I worked for Sears for 25 years. I served as division Manager in the Candy Department for 13 1/2 years. I won many contests in this position, among which was $100.00 and a color T.V. set. My ranking in performance for the Pacific Coast Stores was Fifth place, and above the Salt Lake Stores' average. I received a two-year business diploma.
Now my activities in the South Cottonwood area: I first was the Laurels leader, then called to be the First Counselor to Genevieve Farnsworth in Relief Society. We were divided from the Ninth Ward and were made the 14th ward. I was called to be First Counselor to Mary Beth Gold.
Then on January 11, 1975 I was called to be Relief Society President. I am now coordinator of the Relief Society Nursery, Visiting Teachers, and Visiting Teacher Supervisor.
I love my husband and my familly very much. I hope that after I am gone, my family will enjoy reading this history.