Eva Jane Johnson Matherly Bailey, 87, passed away Monday, April 15, at her home of natural causes. Prior to her death, Eva was surrounded by her devoted family. Eva was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great great-grandmother who loved to be with her family.
Eva was born on August 24, 1936 in Fullerton, California, to Virgil Johnson and Gladys Ritter. Her family moved first to Mountain Home and then Meridian and purchased a dairy farm. She attended a two-room schoolhouse off Maple Grove, and then attended and graduated from Boise High School. In high school, she participated in Quill and Scroll, ROTC Rifle Team, Thespian Club, Home Economics club, and was the editor of the Bosie High School paper. She worked at the Ada Theatre and Albertsons in the bakery.
After high school, Eva met and married James E. Matherly and had the opportunity to travel the world in the miliary. Through this union, they were blessed with five children, Lori D. Matherly, David R. Matherly, James T. Matherly, Sandy K. Mathery, and Sherry L. Matherly Haines. Eva attended Boise State University and earned her LPN degree and was employed at Mercy Medical Center, Nampa, Idaho. There she was a Pediatric, Emergency Room, and Medical Surgery nurse. She served on the Idaho State Board of Nursing. These experiences prepared her to teach future nursing students at Renaissance High School in Meridian, Idaho, in her retired years. Eva was also a renowned baker well known for her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and pies. She constantly received requests to bring her baking to functions for family and friends.
Eva and James divorced. Later she met Hubert Bailey. They were married, and later sealed in the LDS Temple, August 31, 2002. Hugh built her dream house in Garden Valley, Idaho where they enjoyed fishing, hiking, target shooting, dances, concerts and picnics. She stated, "I never knew anyone who enjoyed having as much fun as Hugh."
Eva was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she held positions in the Relief Society, Girls Camp leader and nurse. She served in the Primary Presidency and District Primary Presidency. Eva served an LDS mission at the Family Search Center and in the Church Office Headquarters. There she enjoyed working in genealogy and church history. She thrived on meeting the new missionaries, taking them under her "wing." Her most recent calling was as a member of the "Just Serve" committee. Eva was also very active in the community. In Garden Valley she organized Christmas Concerts and other social activities. In Meridian, she volunteered in the mayor's office for Tammy de Weerd, and later for Robert Simison.
Eva was a published author. She wrote a children's story titled Jedidiah the Donor Dog Hero , which told a story about the importance of being a real-life donor-dog through blood transfusions.
Eva is survived by four of her children, David Matherly (Jacqui) of Phoenix, Arizona; James Matherly (Susan) of Sandy, Utah, Sandra "Sandy" Matherly of Meridian, Idaho, and Sherry Haines (Jeff) of Meridian, Idaho. She is survived by eighteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her parents, the love of her life Hugh Bailey, and her daughter Lori Matherly Place. Additionally, her brothers, Kenneth Eugene Johnson, Donald Wayne Johnson, Virgil Warren Johnson, Gerald Sidney Johnson, and her sister Judith Ann Johnson.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 29, at 11:00, at the LDS chapel located at 5501 Meridian Rd., Meridian, ID. The family will greet friends and family at a viewing at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Cloverdale Cemetery, Boise, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Renaissance Medical Arts School through the West Ada School Foundation, in Eva Bailey's name.
To attend the service virtually please visit https://www.youtube.com/live/gGaaKqbw7kk?feature=shared