March 19, 1929 — June 2, 2018
Mavis Renee Datwyler Linford, age 89, returned to her Heavenly home on June 2, 2018, due to natural causes. Renee was born on March 19, 1929, to Christian Fredrick and Selma Victoria Holjeson Datwyler in Logan, Utah.
She attended Logan City schools and continued her education at Utah State Agriculture College, now known as Utah State University. Renee was active in various school activities, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in home economics and from the Institute of Religion. Following graduation, Renee taught home economics at Manti High School and Smithfield Junior High. She was a master seamstress and often created beautiful dresses and children’s clothing.
Renee married her sweetheart, James Ezra Linford, on June 15, 1955, in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following a honeymoon through the national parks of the Southwest, they moved to Sunnyside, Washington, for Jim’s employment. Renee began teaching fifth grade in Washington after completing her elementary certification at Central Washington College for teachers.
While in Washington, Jim and Renee were blessed with two children, James Rodney and Debra. Eventually the family returned to Utah where Renee taught English to seventh graders at Kaysville Jr. High for several years before spending the remaining of her teaching career with fourth graders at Burton Elementary in Kaysville.
Following their retirement, Jim and Renee moved to St. George, Utah, where they enjoyed golfing, concerts, musicals and traveling together. After Jim passed in 2000, Renee found many friends through Dixie College art classes and local history excursions.
Renee was a faithful member of LDS church, which was the foundation of her life. She served in many callings within the Primary, Sunday School, Young Women and Relief Society organizations. Renee also served as a Church Service Missionary and as a temple worker in the St. George Temple.
Renee is preceded in death by her husband and her parents; a brother, Glen (Barbara); a sister, Nedra; and a grandson, Josh Linford. She is survived by her two children, Rodney (Elaine) and Debra Williams (Tom); three grandchildren, Blair Williams Thompson (Sean), Alison Renee Williams and Clark Thomas Williams; two sisters, Birdean Flint (Grant), Sandra Nielson (Glen); and three brothers, Denzel Datwyler (Joan), Darwin Datwyler (Eleanor) and Boyd Datwyler (Jan).
Funeral services
- Following a family service, Renee will be in interred in the St. George Tonaquint Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.
For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.