Gunlock, UT - Florence Beatty Leavitt, 90, passed away Sunday, September 5, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 6, 1920 in Hurricane, Utah to Joseph Franklin and Chloe Belle Fuller Beatty, the eighth of ten children. Her early years were spent growing up on the family farm until after her father's death, at which time the family moved into town. After graduating from Hurricane High School and Dixie College, she went on to BYU where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in education in 1946. She took part in many theatrical productions, playing the lead in several of them. After graduation she embarked on another adventure, going to the Territory of Hawaii where she taught school on the island of Maui for two years. She loved the people of Hawaii and the time she spent there. She also taught in Mesquite, Nevada. She married her eternal sweetheart, Vernon Arvel Leavitt on May 25, 1949, in the St. George, Utah LDS Temple. She continued teaching school after that, first in Leeds, Utah and then in Gunlock, Utah, where for several years she was the only teacher, grades one through eight, as well as the Principal. In 1957 they were blessed with their daughter, VerNonn, and she left her teaching position to be a full time mother. Later she worked in the school lunch program for many years where she again was able to work with the youth. She had a special gift for teaching and touched many, many lives throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many capacities throughout her life including Primary President, Relief Society President, Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, Inservice teacher, Relief Society teacher, visiting teacher, chorister, and choir member. She had a beautiful singing voice and spent many years singing in various choirs, but her favorite calling was teaching Primary; she had such a love for the children she taught and she served in that position for many years until her health forced her to stop teaching at the age of 85. Arvel preceded her in death in 1989. She has missed him dearly since that day, and the knowledge that she is with him again and that she is no longer in pain greatly helps ease our sorrow. She is survived by her daughter, VerNonn (Brad) Burkey; grandchildren, Krystal (Richard) Miller, Luke Brady, Vern (Summer) Brady, & Michael Burkey; great-grandchildren Beau Miller, Kaylee Brady, Aspen Brady, and another great grandson expected later this month, as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arvel; her parents; and all of her siblings: Hortense Beatty Robb, Owen Beatty, Marguerite Beatty Lake, Mildred Beatty Granger, Donald Fuller Beatty, Dorene Beatty Leavitt, Vilate Beatty Barnum, Barbara Beatty Bowler, and John Lloyd Beatty. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gunlock LDS Ward Chapel, 733 North Main Street, Gunlock, Utah. Visitations will be held Tuesday, September 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah and on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel, prior to services. Interment will be at the Gunlock Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. The family would like to extend special thanks to Kaye and Denise with Intermountain Hospice Care for their loving and gentle care these past 10 days.