Esther Fletcher Tams

Esther Tams

Esther Fletcher Tams, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday August 3, 2008, at the Sunshine Terrace. Esther was born on July 19, 1913, in Wellsville, Utah. She was the third child of four born to Alexander and Margaret Williamson Fletcher. She received a BS degree in home economics in 1936 and a MS degree in home economics education in 1950 from Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University). She taught high school in Battle Mountain and Overton, Nevada, and at Wellsville Junior High School for a total of 19 years. She was also a member of the Old Main Society, Utah State University. Esther and Merlin Tams were married and sealed in the Logan LDS Temple Dec. 20, 1956. They were not blessed with any children but did a lot of traveling in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, especially during the early years of their marriage.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a very enjoyable time as Primary President. She has also done a lot of temple work. She had many hobbies, including photography, reading, collecting phonograph records (back a few years) and now videocassettes of favorite movies, travel, historical events, etc.; but she always had a special love for her cats and her flower garden. She has fame for her hybridizing irises (and they are not flags). She has been an active iris judge in the American Iris Society since 1960. In 1977 she received the sought after Dykes Medal from the British Iris Society (England) for her hybridized iris "Dream Lover." The British Iris Society only awards one Dykes Medal to a member of the American Iris Society in the United States and Canada each year. Since there is only one other recipient of this award in the state of Utah, it was, and still is, a real honor for her. Esther has resided the majority of her life in Wellsville and has enjoyed the friendship she has had with her neighbors and friends. The last 3 ½ years Esther has lived at the Sunshine Terrace in Logan, Utah. She is survived by her devoted husband Merlin Tams, who continued to care for Esther by going to the Sunshine Terrace daily to spend time with her. We wish to thank the caring staff at Sunshine Terrace Wing 2. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Catherine Olson, and Elizabeth Wilson, and brothers; Eugene Fletcher and Alexander Fletcher.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, August 7, 2008 at the Wellsville 2nd Ward Chapel, 30 South Center Street. There will be a viewing at the Church prior to the services from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.. Interment will be in the Wellsville Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary.In lieu of flowers please contribute to The Perpetual Education Fund of the LDS Church.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net