Sunday Spotlight

-Ora Mae Wilson Parkinson- This is my Great Grandma Ora. She was born in Taylorsville, Utah on March 11, 1892. She was raised as an only child (her older brother died as a young toddler). Ora was raised by her grandparents so that she wouldn't hear about the LDS church. Her Mother was an inactive member, and her Father wanted to make sure she didn't join the church, so he had his parents raise her. She attended the Presbyterian church.

Ora attended Parochial schools and studied to become a teacher. One time after she began teaching, her students played a trick on her and put a pig in the classroom! She was scared to death. The kids were all hiding in the attic, which was in the classroom. She returned the favor by whipping each one as they came down. (Things were sure different back then).

Ora met Stuart Parkinson as she was working in a print shop as a typesetter. They became friendly and she accepted dates from him. As they became better aquainted, he told her about the church that he belonged to, which was the Mormon church. She read and studied about it and knew that it was true.

She joined the church, and Ora and Stuart were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 30th, 1913.

They had 5 children, 4 of which lived to adulthood. Ora and Stuart raised their family in Idaho, Utah, and then California.

Top: Ada, Donald, Helen

Bottom:Ora, Stuart, Marjorie

Ora was a woman of many talents. She was a great cook, and won many prizes at the fair. She was also very intelligent and enjoyed reading.

A story that I remember hearing about her since I was a kid is:

Ora had beautiful dark brown hair that was down to her waist. She often complained about taking care of it, and talked about cutting it short and bobbing it. One day, her husband Stuart was so tired of hearing her complain about her long hair, he snuck up behind her when she was in the kitchen, and cut her ponytail right off! Ora was very upset, but soon got over it.

In 1962, my aunt Mary Nielson tape recorded Grandma Ora Parkinson sharing her testimony. Click on the play button below to hear her special testimony.