Verma Geanne Clonts Bingham

Verma Geanne Clonts Bingham, 88, was born February 21, 1929. She was the second of 7 children born to Surcie Campbell Clonts and Mildred Gardner. Verma was born in the home of her Gardner grandparents in San Jose, Arizona.

Verma grew up working with her father in the cotton fields and helping her mother with her younger brothers and sisters. In the latter part of 1947, Verma developed a friendship with Glen Bingham, who was working with her older brother hauling hay. They started dating and after a short courtship were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on November 14, 1947. They made their home in Safford, and during their 66 years of marriage, four boys and one girl were born.

In approximately 1961, Verma injured her back in a car accident and thereafter spent many years in and out of traction and suffered with back pain the remainder of her life.  However, Verma never let it stop her and gave many years of service to others throughout her life.

In about 1967, the Bingham’s moved into their current home, on Cactus Road, and started farming. Verma supported Glen in all his endeavors including pruning peach trees, weighing and selling peaches, feeding all the men burros and hamburgers on the days they branded cattle, delivering and caring for young pigs and bottle-feeding calves. She rode with Glen to change water and would count rows and signal Glen from the other end of the field which rows were out.

Verma loved gardening and shared the fruits of her labors with many family, friends, and neighbors. She grew flowers and loved making arrangements. She learned to bottle all the produce she grew and had a large pantry full of the fruits of her labors. She shared that knowledge with others throughout the valley teaching them to pressure pinto beans and vegetables. Verma loved to cook and bake and it was common to see her taking meals to others.  She especially loved to take meals to families who were bringing new babies home. Verma loved to read and learn new things and has book shelves full of books on gardening, health, decorating, and gospel topics.

Verma is well known for running Bingham’s Pre-School out of her home for as many as 40 years. She taught her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well many other children, their colors, numbers, and alphabet with the fun activities she had in her curriculum.

Verma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. She loved serving as compassionate service leader and would fill her car full of food and serving dishes for funerals. She also enjoyed serving on the Stake Relief Society Board and would fill her car with tablecloths, flower arrangements, books, pictures, signs, bottled food and tasting plates to give demonstrations to the different wards.

Verma entered life eternal on February 16, 2018, in the comfort of her own home.

Verma is preceded in death by: her parents, Surcie Campbell and Mildred Gardner Clonts; husband, Glen Reed Bingham; son, Stacie Del Bingham; and grandchildren,  Megan John and Clint John.

She is survived by: her sons, Brent (Linda), Kip (Susan) and Joel (Paula); and her daughter, Jane (Danny) John; as well as 20 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Verma will be conducted Saturday, February 24, 2018, at 3:00 p.m., at the Mt. Graham LDS Chapel by Bishop Mike Fox of the Safford Seventh Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Safford Cemetery.

Family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, February 24, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m., in the Mt. Graham LDS Chapel Relief Society Room.

Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.

Comments

comments