Alma Nephi Bryce

Pictured are the children of Ebenezer and Mary Ann Bryce: Standing, left to right, Heber Brooks, Mary Isabelle, Barbara Ellen, Jane Louisa, Reuben Adam, and Seated left to right, Joseph Walter, William Henry, Alma Nephi, George Alvin, Ebenezer Park. (David and Andrew and Ann Jeanette remained in Utah and were not in this picture.) Alma Nephi Bryce was born October 24, 1861, at Millcreek, Utah. He was the 5th child in a family of twelve children born to Ebenezer and Mary Ann Park Bryce. During his early life his family lived in Pine Valley and Bryce Canyon, Utah. The Church authorities called them to help colonize Arizona so they moved to Pima, Arizona. After living in Pima for awhile they moved to the north side of the river and built a little town called Bryce.

Alma and Caroline met at a social in Pima and after a courtship of about a year, were married September 14, 1887. Caroline Jorgensen was born February 26, 1866, in Gunnison, Utah. At the age of twelve her family moved to Arizona. In 1881 they moved to Pima where they built a log cabin. They lived there while clearing brush and developing their farm in Graham, Arizona. After Caroline and Alma were married they left by team and wagon for St. George, Utah with another couple who were married the same day. It took two weeks to make the trip one way. Their first home was a one room red brick building built on their farm in Bryce. The home had a fireplace which served as a stove until they could afford to buy one.

Both Alma and Caroline lived lives of service to family, church and Community. They worked hard to make a living raising chickens, pigs, cows, horses, a garden and hay and grains. They made cheese and butter from milk and cured their own meat.

They used to sing in public at different programs and socials. She was Relief Society President for fifteen years and was secretary in that organization at the time of her passing. She was a ward chorister and loved music. David Claridge, Bishop at the time of her passing, spoke at her funeral and said, “The whole ward has lost its mother.” She died 15 July 1907 in Bryce, Arizona and is buried in the Bryce Cemetery. Their children were: Isabel, Margaret Ann, Mary Elizabeth, Janie, Agnes, Annie, Jeanette, Alma and the baby girl who died at her birth. Alma served as Bishop of the Bryce Ward from October 9, 1892 until November 16, 1902.

After several years, Alma married Adelaide Armenia Oliver Blair on 24 July 1910. A widow who was typical of the faith and courage displayed by the early pioneers. She did her best to mother two families while bringing into the world three more children, Lemna, Barbara and Bruce. With her last child only two years old, she was once again widowed when her husband Alma died. She was a devout church goer and tireless worker. She left at her death at age 84 a beautiful heritage of humble courage and faith for all. Alma Nephi passed away December 24, 1916, in El Paso, Texas of pneumonia following surgery. He is buried in the Bryce Cemetery.

OBITUARY FOR ALMA NEPHI BRYCE, Clipping from the Graham Guardian, Safford, Arizona, January 5, 1917: Alma Nephi Bryce, son of Ebenezer and Mary Ann Bryce, was born October 24, 1871, at Mill Creek, Salt Lake County, Utah. He died December 14, 1916, aged 55 years and 2 months, at Hotel Diva Hospital, El Paso, Texas, from lobar pneumonia. Mr. Bryce was operated on for appendicitis, December 14, 1916, and was improving until pneumonia set in and caused his death.

Mr. Bryce was married twice. His first wife, Caroline Jorgensen, died July 15, 1907. On July 24, 1910, he married to Addie Blair, who survives him. He is also survived by nine children. Mr. Bryce was an old resident of the Gila Valley and lived at Bryce, which was founded by his father, the late Ebenezer Bryce. He was engaged in farming and the cattle business. The funeral services were held December 27, 1916, in the church at Bryce. Interment was made in the Bryce Cemetery.