Clyda Stevens Trent

Clyda Stevens Trent was born on September 12, 1943, in San Mateo, California, to Claude Crawshaw Stevens and Melba Louise Wallwork Stevens. She grew up in a family of five daughters, with sisters Claudia (“Michelle”), Sherrie, Stephanie, and Brete, in a household full of the energy and devotion that would later define her own home.

A natural athlete from a young age, Clyda competed in several sports including basketball and badminton at Brigham Young University. She also swam for BYU before the university even had a swimming pool, a detail that captures her grit.

It was at BYU that she met Ruell Stanley ("Stanley") Trent, the man who would become her husband and lifelong partner. They were sealed for eternity in the Oakland California Temple on August 13, 1966. They both wanted a large family and they succeeded resoundingly! Together they raised eleven children in Tennessee and built a life rooted in faith, family, and service.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she held many prominent roles in her congregation over the years and lived her faith quietly through every day as well as extraordinary acts of kindness.

She was also a successful businesswoman whose ventures contributed meaningfully to her family's well-being and gave her children an early model of hard work and perseverance.

Clyda's strength defined her as a mother. Her children cannot recall her ever raising her voice. Her love extended well beyond her own family: she was a den mother in the Boy Scouts of America for decades, welcomed strangers who were down on their luck into her home, and served as a surrogate mother to many more. Friends and family will miss her active kindness and extraordinarily consistent can-do, positive attitude.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Ruell Stanley ("Stanley") Trent; her sister, Claudia (“Michelle”) Stevens; and her parents.

She is survived by her three sisters Sherrie Scott (Bill), Stephanie Stevens, and Brete Martin; and her 11 children: Kenneth Trent (Lenae), Stacy Stuart, Phillip Trent, Tiffany Trent, Jared Trent, Spencer Trent, Benson Trent, Emily Higginson (Eric), Mark Trent, Austin Trent (Irlaine), and Cindy Hall (Joshua).

She is also survived by her 22 grandchildren: Tori Leavitt, Tyler Trent, and Teegan Webster; Michael Kellett, Emily Allphin, Rachel Kellett, Mellissa Evans, and E. Annie Stuart; Gracie Trent; Elizabeth (“Ellie”), S. Taylor, Eden, and Ryker Higginson; Eleanor and Karen Trent; Ashley and Caroline Trent; Wesley, Kaylee, Elizabeth, Trent, and Karleen Hall. She is further survived by her 9 great-grandchildren Kingston, Owen, and Addie Leavitt; Forrest and Olly Webster; Matthew Kellett; Rosie Allphin; Mason and Katie Evans.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 12:00 pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 1625 Lava Flow Dr, St. George, UT 84770

Interment will be Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Hamblen Memory Gardens & Mausoleum, 5421 E Andrew Johnson Highway, Morristown, TN 37814

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 4:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 100 Canongate Road, Kingsport, TN 37660, with a visitation beginning at 3:00 pm prior to services at the chapel. Flowers can be sent via Hamblen Memory Gardens & Mausoleum.