HAUGHT, Elna

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ February 22, 2008 Elna Brinkerhoff Porter Haught, 84, of Woodruff died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, at Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale. She was born May 16, 1923, in Holbrook, to Levi and Rhoda (Turley) Brinkerhoff. She grew up in Woodruff and attended school in Woodruff, Holbrook and Snowflake. She also attended Lamson Business School in Phoenix. She worked at the First National Bank in Holbrook for several years. Elna was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she accepted and fulfilled many church callings. She worked for the Seminary System for many years. Elna married Arlin Porter Nov. 1942, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They had a daughter, Merlene. During WWII Arlin was a bomber pilot and was killed in action in March 1945. In September 1950 Elna married Tom Haught. They were married for 53 years when Tom passed away in September 2003. They had six children Gary, Kathryn, Kelly, Carla, Leslie and Tom. The joy of Elna's life was when her children were born. The family moved around quite a lot when the children were young to find work on ranches and feed lots. They eventually settled in Woodruff to continue to raise their family. Elna was grateful for the little things in life. She loved learning and doing her best, playing ball and making home runs, playing paper dolls, catching frogs at the river and having frog legs to eat, sleeping in the hay, sleeping with warmed bricks in the winter, square dancing, growing flowers, doing dishes with her sisters, having a clean house with clean washing on the line and mounds of ironing done and humming while she cared for her family. She always had a smile and a positive kind word for others. She was a very special lady to all who knew her. Her survivors include her seven children, Merlene (Glenn) Evensen, Gary (Debby) Haught, Kathryn (Edward) Fawcett, Kelly Haught, Carla (Ron) Daniels, Leslie (Michael) Pederson and Tom (Molli) Haught; and 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Survivors also include three sisters, LaVerne Pinto, Carma King and Irene (Jack) Arnold. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her sisters, Lila Specht, Thelma Sills and Arlene Johnson; and three brothers, Dono, Derrel and Ferrin Brinkerhoff. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. at the Woodruff Ward Chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a visitation one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will follow at the Woodruff Cemetery. Owens Mortuary of Snowflake handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owensmortuary.com.