Our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Carma "Leora" Parkinson passed away peacefully at her home, the morning after her 94th birthday, surrounded by her loving family on April 23, 2016.

Leora began her earthly adventure on April 22, 1922 in Sugar Salem, Idaho born to loving parents, Nephi Charles Virgin, Jr. and Eleanor Eliza Windley Virgin. She was born the ninth of twelve children and was welcomed into this world by four brothers, Reuel, Rolla, Wendell and Virl and four sisters, Anona, Lois, Elva and Gail. She was later joined by two brothers, Dell and Don and a sister Gazel. The family lived on a 55 acre farm one mile west of Sugar City raising all kinds of animals along with hay, grain, potatoes and sugar beets.

Growing up during the Great Depression had a profound effect on the family, but mother recalled a happy childhood filled with love. Even though the family did not have much money, they had what they needed, and enjoyed being part of a close community centered around the Salem church, schools and their loving neighbors and friends.

Mother enjoyed her large family and made many life long friends in Salem. After graduating from Sugar Salem High School she moved to Rexburg and began a job as a telephone operator at Mountain Bell. As World War II drew to a close she accepted an additional job at Johnson's Drug Store. It was at the drug store that she met Reid R. Parkinson, a handsome young man who had just returned from the war. They had a whirlwind romance and married on December 19, 1946, nine weeks after they met.

Their marriage was soon blessed with twin boys, Shayne and Thayne, who sadly were born prematurely and passed away at birth. Their daughter, Marlene Bacon (Jeff) St. George, Utah was born soon after, followed by daughter, Debbie Summers (Harvey, deceased) Salt Lake City, son Reid V. (Shaleen Robinson), Idaho Falls, daughter Pamela Cook (Christof ), Boise and son Kelly (MaryAnn Bates, deceased) Rexburg. Reid and Leora were later divorced but remained friends.

Mom was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served many happy years as a Primary and Sunday School teacher. Later in life she worked at J.C. Penney and then Basic American Potato for over twenty-five years from where she retired. She loved people and could talk to anybody about anything. She was a member of the Rexburg Women's Bowling Team. She volunteered as a hair model at Career Beauty College for over twenty years. In her later years she became an expert gardener and loved raising flowers and caring for her yard.

Mother's greatest joy was her children and she enjoyed a close and loving relationship with them her whole life. Her children blessed her with 15 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren who all adored their "Grandma". A favorite family tradition was the annual Thanksgiving dinner at grandma's and last year 30 family members gathered to share their love with her. She was preceded in death by her parents, twin sons, all her brothers and sisters, and her ex-husband.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30th at the Rexburg North Stake Center, 314 E 2nd N. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home and again from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at Sugar City Cemetery. The family extends their sincere gratitude to family and friends, near and far, who have been so kind and loving to our mother.