Mary Louise Allred

Mary Louise Heaton Allred was born March 14, 1931 in St. George, Utah to Junius Hoyt and Mabel Glover Heaton, she was the youngest of 8 children.

Home was Alton, Utah and some winters in St. George, Utah until the age of ten when her father bought a poultry farm in  Midvale, Utah. Just before her 14th birthday they moved to Orland, California where her father bought a nut farm. At this time, this was in the mission field. The first Sunday there were 12 people, the second Sunday she was playing the piano and by the third Sunday she was playing the piano and teaching a class. She attended and graduated from Orland High School as the Valedictorian and the only Latter Day Saint girl that year.

Music has always been an integral part of Mary’s life. She accompanied Glee Club in High School, played for Primary and Sunday School and was the Branch Chorister for Sacrament Meeting. She also sang for various events during this time and throughout her life and had a beautiful voice.

After her first marriage at age 19 to Duane Shelton Williams who was a missionary companion to her brother Kay, she was called to be the Primary President. They were blessed with three children Kelvin Duane, Rodney Tim and Rebecca Louise. Sadly, this marriage ended and she moved back to St. George to be closer to family. She went to work for Hale and Pace as a secretary for several years and then went to work as a dental assistant for Doctor Walter Snow. 

In 1962 she was married and sealed to Heber Cottam Thompson, with this marriage came another daughter Bonnie Jean Thompson who was Heber’s Daughter. Shortly after getting married, Heber was called to be a Labor Missionary to the Hawaiian Islands where he helped to build 30 chapels, was a Bishop and the first Stake Patriarch for the BYU Hawaii Stake. Mary worked for several years at the college bookstore, was a Temple guide at the Laie Temple and worked in the visitor’s center. She was also instrumental in getting 2 piece garments at that time for people with physical handicaps. After Heber’s retirement, they moved to Santa Clara, Utah and Heber also built Mary a cottage in Pine Valley where she lead the singing and taught Relief Society for 16 years.

After Heber’s death in 1993, Mary was alone for 14 years. A friend who was an ordinance worker in the Temple with her, introduced her to Karl Wendell Allred and the rest was history. Karl was an accomplished musician and together they played in over 93 sacrament meetings, weddings and funerals. He brought music back into her life and it brought great joy to them both. Sadly due to declining health they had to quit playing together. During their marriage they traveled to Switzerland, twice to Alaska, and made many trips to Panguitch, and areas throughout the state. 

It was during this marriage that Mary grew to love watching sports on television much to her children’s amazement (she had always disliked sports). She and Karl could be found watching sports late into the night and were avid Jazz, BYU and U of U fans.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, husband Heber and son Tim. She is survived by her son Kelvin (Melanie), daughter Becky and Heber’s daughter Bonnie and multiple grandchildren, great grandchildren and even some great-great grandchildren. 

The family would like to take this time to thank Advanced Health Hospice and the staff at Southgate Senior Living for their wonderful care and kindness.