Cherise Elison Alvey

Cherise Elison Alvey, 54, of Firth, Idaho passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. She had been in the care of Avalon  Hospice, and her mother after battling cancer for the third time in 13 years.

She was born in Pocatello, Idaho on June 8, 1959 to Gary Croft Elison and Sharon Bullock. She would become the oldest of ten children.

She was raised and attended school in Moreland, Idaho. She graduated from Snake River High School in 1977, attended Brigham Young University for three years and then in July 1980 she left school to serve an 18-month mission for her church in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. She returned home in December 1981 and continued her schooling at BYU to finish her bachelors in Elementary Education, graduating in 1982. She taught school in the Firth School District for 30 years. She loved her students and fellow teachers dearly!

Cherise had three step-children whom she helped to raise and loved as her own, and had four children of her own. She had five grandchildren from her step-children, who she adored.  They gave her the nick-name “Grandma Rocks!”. Her children were the light of her life. She enjoyed spending time with them; going on camping trips and travelling for family vacations.

Cherise was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held various positions over the years, ranging from teaching primary to being the ward organist. She had a love for the temple and attended regularly.

She was active in so many things, loved life and lived it fully. She was very athletic and was a great competitor as a young athlete. She later enjoyed coaching and attending her children’s sporting events. She was a self-proclaimed work-a-holic and it was a rare occasion if she wasn’t working other jobs in addition to teaching.  In January 2012, she decided to go back to school for her Masters degree in counseling, and on December 10, 2013 she received her Honorary Masters Degree from Northwest Nazarene University.

She is survived by her parents, Gary and Sharon Elison of Meridian, Idaho; her siblings, Tawnja (Dave) Powers of Dillingham, AK, LeiLani (Paul) Treasure of Middleton, ID, Lance (Wendy) Elison of McCammon, ID, Selena (Troy) Wheatley of Pocatello, ID, Kirsten (Richard) Leavitt of Blackfoot, ID, Devin (Shelby) Elison of Jerome, ID, Dustin Elison of Star, ID, and Casey Elison, of Meridian, ID; and six children, Stephanie (Jeremy) Bird of Idaho Falls, Paul (BreAnn) Alvey of Rock Springs, WY, Daynon Alvey of Firth, Nateale (Kordell) Koepnick of Heyburn, Kreisha Alvey and Quinn Alvey of Firth, ID; and five grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents Bernell and Dorothy Elison, and Milton and Ruphenia Bullock; her brother, Shawn Elison; and her step-son, Michael Alvey.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 pm Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Firth Stake Center, (823 N. 675 E.) in Basalt. The family will meet with friends and family on Friday evening from 6-8 pm, and Saturday morning from 11:30-12:40 both at the Stake Center. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home in Shelley. Internment will be in the Goshen Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Cherise can be sent to the American Cancer Society, 

https://donate.cancer.org/index

. Contributions can also be made to Nalder Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.