Shirley Faye Lords

Shirley Faye Brown Lords, 94, of Iona, Idaho, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at her home.

She was born on January 4, 1926, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the oldest child of Hyrum Mantle Brown and Clarissa Howard Brown. Her family lived and farmed in many Eastern Idaho towns, including Lincoln, Clark, New Sweden, Osgood, Iona, Shelton and finally Ashton, where she graduated high school in 1943. She later graduated from Ricks College in 1945 with an associate’s degree in business.

Shirley met her sweetheart William “Bill” Charles Lords on a blind date set up by her college roommate whose date was Alvin Lords, Bill’s younger brother. Bill was home on a month-long leave from World War II. For the following year, they wrote letters and when he returned once again on leave, she got a diamond for Christmas. He returned to war and she to college. The following spring during a 4-day leave, they were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on April 19, 1945. Following a celebration of dancing, Bill once again returned to war and Shirley finished her college education. They ultimately settled in Idaho Falls and had five children, three girls and two boys. Iona became home once again in 2005. Bill passed away a year later.

Shirley discovered early on a love for teaching. She taught the fourth grade in Ashton as well as Idaho Falls. She also taught kindergarten and even started her own private kindergarten. Many students still remember and speak fondly of Mrs. Lords.

In her younger years, Shirley enjoyed swimming in the canal, riding horses, camping, playing ball and playing in the hay stacks and straw stacks. As she grew older she loved sleigh rides, dances, roller skating and dating. In her later years, she served as a volunteer at the local hospital and was a missionary at the Idaho Falls Humanitarian Center. She spent hours coloring and cutting pieces for children’s activities.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in a variety of callings.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Patricia; and sister, Naida Lords.

She is survived by her children: Pam (Dale) Nalder of Meridian, ID; Peggy (Bill) Alexander of Blackfoot, ID; Jeff (Julia) Lords of Aurora, CO; Todd Lords of Iona, ID; four siblings: Darwin Reed of Rexburg, ID; Ronald J of Idaho Falls, ID; LaRae Birch of Salmon, ID; and L. Dean of Moody, ID; 14 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Family will gather for a private viewing on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho, from 4-6 p.m. Private graveside services will be at Fielding Cemetery in Idaho Falls on Monday, May 11, 2020, at 11 a.m.