LOCUST, Marzell

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/29/2015 Marzell Flake Locust, 88, of Snowflake died peacefully Dec. 23, 2015, at her home after an extended illness. She was born May 28, 1927, in Snowflake, the fourth child of Marshall Flake and Malinda Wright. Marzell learned to play the trumpet as a youth and was a well-loved source of musical entertainment. She graduated from Snowflake High School and attended a semester at Arizona State College (now Arizona State University), before moving to Salt Lake City, Utah, to play the trumpet in a local dance orchestra. While in Salt Lake City she met and married in 1948 her first husband, George C. “Tony” Vance, and were sealed in the Manti Temple. They had five children before moving to Phoenix in 1959. Marzell enjoyed 22 years with Tony, which was interrupted in mortality by his premature death from cancer in 1970. A widow at 43 with children still at home, Marzell moved to Snowflake the following year into her childhood home. She found great love and support from family and friends in her beloved hometown. In 1972 Marzell married Jack Locust and enjoyed several years with him professionally performing western music. After her second husband passed away in 1988, Marzell spent many years between her home in Snowflake and her “ranch” property off of Concho Highway, where many enjoyed visiting her and especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who now treasure many memories of times with her there. Marzell was an active member of the LDS Church, where she served in various callings in Primary and Relief Society. Besides her musical talent, Marzell was well known for her happy spirit and optimism. She loved life and endured her trials well. Until the end of her life, those who would call or visit at her home would marvel how they would always gain an emotional lift after being in contact with Marzell. She devoted her life to serving others, including several years delivering with Meals on Wheels. Marzell was preceded in death by her parents and all seven of her siblings, as well as her son Thomas, stepson Gary Locust and grandson Gary Sorensen Jr. Survivors include sons George C. Vance Jr. and Charles M. (Rebecca) Vance; daughters Bonnie (Garth) Prestwich and Bettie (Gary) Sorensen; stepson Jack K. (Donna) Locust; stepdaughter Sheila (William) Wright; as well as 17 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Funeral service for Marzell will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Main Street Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 48 N. Main St., in Snowflake, where the visitation will begin one hour prior. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the RV “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake. Owens Livingston 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.owenslivingstonmortuary.