Beth Iola Gifford Martin

Beth Iola Gifford Chapman Martin passed away peacefully on October 16, 2023 in Mesquite Nevada.. She was 91 years of age.

Beth was born August 6, 1932 in Bluewater, New Mexico to Joseph Allen Gifford and May Elizabeth Bloomfield Gifford. She was the third of four children born to that union. When she was 18 months old her father was killed in a mining accident. She and her siblings were raised by their widowed mother.

Beth started school in Kirtland, New Mexico. Because her mother was a school teacher they moved several times over the next few years. Beth graduated from high school in Ramah, New Mexico where she was Class Valedictorian and was inducted into the National Honor Society.

She married Don Clawson Chapman on May 3, 1951 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  They had eight children; in birth order, Judy, Connie, Donna, Diane, Nancy, Beverly, Don and Sandy. Beth and Don later divorced after moving to California for a job opportunity. Following the divorce Beth attended school to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

While in California, Beth met John Martin. They were married on June 9, 1973.  In January 1994 Beth and John moved to Mesquite, Nevada for an employment opportunity, where they both lived until their passing.

Beth was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout her many years of church service she held callings of Leadership, Teaching and Family History and she served valiantly in each one of them. She spent several years serving as a Temple Ordinance worker in the Oakland Temple and then later in the St George Temple. She also sewed hundreds of baby gowns for the Church Humanitarian Center. In her later years she spent many, many hours each week working in Family History and Indexing. She continued until her vision became so impaired that she could no longer see well enough to continue.

Both Beth and John and their extended families are very grateful to their many friends in Mesquite who welcomed them into the community and made them feel comfortable and loved.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John and daughter Donna (David) Elston, a great granddaughter Kaitlyn Black, and a great grandson Samuel Dickison.

Beth is survived by her seven remaining children, as well as 28 grandchildren and 57 great grandchildren.

Funeral service for Beth Martin will be held on November 4, 2023, 11am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Whipple Chapel, 100 N Arrowhead Lane, Mesquite, Nevada.

Burial will be Monday, November 6, 2023 in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City, Nevada.

We wish to thank Star Mortuary for their kindness and assistance in making arrangements for the interment at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.

We are grateful for the love and kindness of everyone who cared for Beth at Mesa Valley Estates and OmniaCare Hospice.