Phyllis Ames

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Phyllis Nellie Sharples Ames, age 92, passed away peacefully at her home in Ioka, Utah, on July 6, 2024.

 Phyllis was born on November 30, 1931, in Woodland, Utah, the only child of Ralph and Edith Prescott Sharples.

 From a young age, Phyllis roamed the Ioka and Bluebell countryside alongside her cousins or alone on foot with her trusty dog companions. Most especially, Phyllis was quite known for her love of riding horses, often participating in horse rides in county fairs and many other events throughout the Uintah Basin.

 After he returned from WWII, Vern Cook Ames proposed to Phyllis and they were married on November 11, 1948. He died on October 27, 2008. Together they raised three daughters: Rose Ann Turbin (Steven), Linda Mecham (Ralph), and Karen Santarosa (Frank); and one son, Ralph L. Ames (Michelle).

 Phyllis kept herself busy raising her children, working as a cashier at several local businesses, as a surveyor for the forest service, at a turkey hatchery, and as a prison matron at a women’s prison. She was Lee Mecham’s right hand woman at his saddle shop and helped him teach saddle making classes to high school students at UBATC. She owned her own business, U.S. Design and Trophy, for many years.

 Vern and Phyllis owned, trained, and showed miniature horses, traveling to shows across the Western United States. During her years, Phyllis, known by many people as a very remarkable woman, remained active in the Myton American Legion Auxiliary and involved with the Tri-County Uintah Basin Senior Program. In addition, she enjoyed attending Bible studies and retreats at local Christian churches. Many of Phyllis’ hand crafted items were donated to local charities and to the Veterans Program.

 Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Rose Ann and Karen, her son, Ralph, 9 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 19 great great grandchildren, whom she always told to “take care of each other and family always comes first.”

 She was preceded in death by her husband Vern, and daughter, Linda Mecham, granddaughter, Kari Green, and great granddaughter, Haley Conroy.

 Our family wishes to extend special thanks to Harley and all the nursing staff at Canyon Home Care and Hospice, whose excellent care kept mom in good spirits during her illness.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Hullinger Mortuary. A viewing will be held from 1:00 - 1:45 PM prior to the service. After the services she will be cremated. Her cremated remains will be inurned in the Ioka Cemetery at a later date.