Nelda Nadean Everroad passed away peacefully on June 26th, 2026 to be reunited with our Lord and Savior, and family members who passed before her. Nadean was born March 6th, 1937 to Grace and Alexander Thomas in Phoenix, Arizona.
She was their 8th child of 9. Having such a large family during tough times, our mom witnessed her parents who didn’t have much, but was always willing to give to anyone in need. Mom never spoke ill of her mom or dad and upheld such a loving respect for them. All growing up, all Nadean wanted in life was to be married and have a family of her own. Nadean dated and later married our father Claude Belcher Markham at the age of 16. When our father asked grandpa Alex for her hand in marriage, our grandpa Alex said, “NO.” So our father went hunting. Two weeks later when our grandmother saw our father, she asked, “Where have you been, don’t we have a wedding to plan for?” Dad said, “Well, Alex said ‘NO,’” to which our grandma replied, “Well, Alex is not the only one who can make decisions around here.” Within 2 weeks, wedding invitations were made and delivered with the help of mom’s sister Sylvia. Grandma Grace made our mother’s dress, wedding cake and the wedding took place in our grandma & grandpa’s backyard on November 21, 1953.
Four years later their first born arrived; Claude Belcher Jr. (Butch), to be followed by Steven Ray, followed by Sharon Diann and the last child was Linda Renee. Their marriage ended after 19 years.
A few years later, our grandpa Alex was in the hospital and shared a room with Oliver Richard Everroad Sr. When our mom would visit her dad Alex, Richard Sr’s. son Richard Jr. (Dick) would visit his dad. Mom & Dick dated and later married on March 14, 1975, even after grandpa Alex told mom – do not marry him!! With this marriage, our family grew with a little brother Oliver R. Everroad III (Rick). A couple years later our family grew once more with our baby sister Catherine Dawn.
My mom was widowed after 19 years when Dick lost his battle to cancer. Mom was having some health issues and was told to move out of Arizona. This is when she moved to Utah for better health. After 1 year in Utah she was able to buy her home in Enoch. She was so proud of this huge accomplishment to purchase a home on her own.
Mom worked outside of the home when we were school age. When single, she worked 3 jobs to support us, 4 kids. While married to Dick, her favorite job was childcare. She LOVED kids and they LOVED her.
Nadean was the last surviving of her generation on both sides of our family. She was reunited with both Alex and Grace, her parents, 1st husband Claude, 2nd husband Dick, all her siblings and our brother Claude Jr.
She is survived by Steven (Wendy), Sharon (Joe), Linda (Tom), Rick (Ashley) Connie and Cathy. She was blessed to have 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren.
Mom, we will miss you dearly, but we will never forget your love, strength, values and courage. The light you shared for 89+ years will stay lit in our hearts. God truly blessed us having you as our mother, grandmother and aunt.
Our faith in the Lord confirms that you are safely in Jesus’ arms, and what a reunion you are having with those who passed before you. A graveside service will be held July 9th at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
My family wishes to thank Cornerstone Caregiving & Mission Hospice for the care they gave to our mother.