Iris Despain Obituary (1950

To watch graveside services click here: GRAVESIDE WEBCAST Iris Ann Despain, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, passed away on September 2, 2020 after a fight with CoVid-19. She was born on October 12, 1950 in Payson, Utah to Jennie Lavoie Hughes and Elmer K Robinson. She was the 13th child in a loving family of 14 children. Iris married Vernon Allen Prince Jr. and they had 4 boys. They later divorced. Iris was married in the Provo Temple to Merrill Asay Despain on January 16, 1990. They were happy together until his death in 2008. He was the love of her life and she has missed him dearly since then. Iris loved to make things. She made doll beds, holiday decorations and anything crafty. Her most recent project has been making hundreds of jingle boxes and felt hearts to go in survivor kits for domestic violence survivors for Hearts Knit Together. She loved to decorate her home for each holiday and dressing up for them too. She loved heart earrings in February, four leaf clovers in March, pumpkin earrings in October, and candy canes in December. Iris loved her Savior Jesus Christ and had a wonderful relationship with him. She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She wasn’t showy about her beliefs, but held them close to her heart. When her health stopped her from attending church, she loved others coming to give her the sacrament, especially when it was a son or grandson. Iris’s greatest joy came from her family. She never missed a birthday or special occasion, whether by attending or sending cards. She loved her sons and was so pleased with their accomplishments and good decisions. Nothing upset her more than when someone spoke badly about her boys! She loved family get togethers, celebrations and barbecues. Any excuse to be with family was a good excuse. Iris was well loved by all who knew her. All of her Facebook friends miss her cheerful Good Morning and Good Night messages. She was generous, loving, caring, compassionate and sweet. Iris had a way of finding small things to do to show her love. Whether helping fold laundry on a busy day, finding a cute pair of holiday earrings, or baking her wonderful zucchini bread for someone. She is preceded in death by her parents, four siblings: Paul, Phillis, Roger and David, her husband, Merrill, and her granddaughter, Shyann. She is survived by her siblings: Gerrie, Jean (Jerry), Kay, Glenda, Helen, Dennis, Alan, Robert (Wynne), and Lynda (Craig), her sons: Brian, Mike, Jay and Karl (Carrie), her stepchildren: Licia, William,Neil (Megan), Anna, Joy (Jack), and 29 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. There will be a viewing on Tuesday, September 8th from 6-8pm at Nelson Mortuary, 4780 N University Ave, Provo. A graveside service week be held at 10 am Wednesday, September 9th at Evergreen Cemetery, Springville. For those who wish to attend, the family respectfully asks that they please not hug or shake hands, but reserve hugs for a later date, when CoVid-19 is better under control. If you are joining us at the graveside and wish to sit, please bring a chair. Masks are required. Thank you.