Melodi Mathews

Melodi Jo Walker Mathews was born February 4, 1955, in Burley Idaho to Reed S. Walker and LeeAnne Winter Walker.

Melodi was the oldest of 4 siblings, including David, Lynette and Kelly. Her childhood years were spent on the farm in Burley milking cows, hoeing beets, burning ditches, swimming in the canals and riding horses.

Melodi always loved horses and eventually tried her hand at becoming the Rodeo Queen at the Mini-Cassia Rodeo. Her horse was injured before the last competition: so even, though she wasn’t queen she was voted Miss Congeniality, which would define Melodi through her life as the one with a big heart that always loved and cared for everyone.

Melodi’s education included Southwest Elementary, Burley Jr. High, and eventually graduating from Burley High School. She then continued on and graduated from BYU in textiles and interior design. She became an amazing seamstress and had an eye for design. While in high school, Melodi worked at the Dairy Queen receiving employee of the month multiple times. This made her realize she needed to further her education.

Melodi married Cory Kidd on August 8,1975. They had several moves and 6 children. Starting in Pocatello, Idaho where Christopher Cory was born July 22, 1976. Another move took them to Rexburg, Idaho where Tyler Jason was born on April 28, 1978. Two years later, Aubri Jo was born on April 25,1980, in Sandy, Utah. Kade Cowan was born April 24,1983 ,in Rigby, Idaho. Ali Riquel was born March 25, 1989, in Rexburg, Idaho. Miquela Lee was born June 24,1991, also in Rexburg. They also spent time in Eagle, Idaho and Spanish Fork, Utah. Melodi later divorced and took her family to Las Vegas, Nevada, Orem, Utah, and then settled in St. George, Utah, where she resided for the last 22 years.

Melodi went to work to raise her family and never stopped. She worked long and hard, we often commented that after her work outside the home, she had her family time and then at 1:00 a.m. she kicked in and worked some more.

Melodi married Marty Craig Mathews (the cowboy who brought riding horses and love back into her life) on June 17, 2006. This special bond also brought Craig’s 3 Children (Marty, Angie, and Derek) and 6 grandchildren for Melodi to love and care for. Melodi worked in the mortgage industry and has been instrumental in helping 100’s of families find their homes. Melodi made lasting friendships everywhere she worked. Even though she loved her work, her real love is teaching. Melodi was an amazing teacher. She loved teaching the youth, she formally taught seminary and Sunday school and took any other opportunity that presented itself.

Melodi loved playing games with her family, supporting her children in all of their activities from sporting events to musical recitals. She was their best friend, cheerleader, advocate and defender.

Melodi always put her children’s and everyone else’s needs before her own. She loved Craig and all her children unconditionally and her grandchildren were the light of her life.

Melodi passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at 10:57a.m. on October 15, 2021. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her eternal partner, Craig Mathews. All six children, Christopher Kidd (Kelly) Idaho Falls, Idaho, Tyler Kidd (Heather), Aubri Dickerson (Marc), Ali Kidd, Miquela Clark (Ryan), all in St. George, Utah, and Kade Kidd (Camille, his beautiful wife), Orem, Utah. Three step children Marty Mathews (Tracy), St. George, Utah, Angie Choate (Tony), Ogden, Utah, Derek Mathews (Krystle), St. George, Utah, and 32 grandchildren. Her siblings David Walker (Peggy) Las Vegas, Nevada, Lynette Welch (Cary), Boise, Idaho, and Kelly Murdock (Mark), St. George, Utah.