Amanda (Mandy) Tanner Paskett, Grouse Creek,
Box Elder County, Utah, daughter of Allen Newman and Mary Emily Barlow Tanner, was born Monday afternoon at 5:55, January 20, 1896, at Grouse Creek, Box Elder County, Utah.  Amanda, the first born of the family, had the following brothers and sisters, Allen Raymond, Joseph Thomas, Leslie, Herbert A. and Delbert E. (twins), Alice Evelyn, Bertha and David Edwin.

My grandparents were Thomas Tanner and Ann Newman on my father’s side and Joseph Smith Barlow and Amanda Morgan on my mother’s side.  They all came from England. I never did see either of my grandfathers.

My Grandmother Tanner lived with my father, and I remember when she died.  I was only a small girl, and her body was laid out on a door before an open window at our house.  It horrified me so that for many, many years, I could not make myself go to a funeral, or think of a dead person without fear.

My other grandmother, Amanda Morgan Barlow, I knew really well.  I used to stay with her sometimes for a week at a time.  I had some wonderful lessons from her counsel and advice, also some wonderful faith promoting experiences.

I remember our first home was a three-roomed log house, and even though I wasn’t very old when we moved into our new brick house, I can remember much about the old log house.  The kitchen was in between the two bedrooms and the house faced the east.

When I was young, I can’t remember of ever being in want of the necessities of life, nor was I ever spoiled with surplus.  My father was a good provider and Mother was always a good manager in the home.

I, being a model child, didn’t have much of a desire for playing pranks on anyone, but I do remember one morning when my uncle, Moroni Tanner, was living with us.  He had an awful habit of standing up and reaching for things he wanted at the table.  Well, the temptation was too great, and I pulled the chair back when he stood up to reach the butter.  Was I ever scolded.  Oh, yes, but I was so tickled that I had to leave the room so I wouldn’t be seen laughing or it might have meant a trouncing for me.  Of course a trouncing would have been an event, as I never did have very many, and they were never a “lick amiss.”
I started to school when I was almost seven years of age.  I had to walk almost three quarters of a mile.  We went to school the first year in a one-roomed rock school house, and my teacher was Alfred Kelly from Brigham City, Utah.  In due time I graduated from the eighth grade.  That ended my scholastic education.

The first birthday I can remember was in 1909 when my father came home from his mission.  He came home on January 19, 1909 and I remember when he walked into the house.  I said, “Tomorrow is my birthday,” and he said, “My, you are a lady now.”  I was just thirteen.

I can remember while my father was on his mission I had to help Mother with the twins, and then when my first sister was born in April, after my father left in October, I used to tend her a lot.  I remember Mother telling me she could hardly pry my arms loose when I would take the baby to bed with me.  I would be so sound asleep but would hang to the baby and pat her to keep her asleep.

My first real date:  I can’t remember the exact day of the week or month, but it was the year 1914, and the escort was my future husband, George Paskett.  I will never forget how thrilled I was when he came to the house to take me to a dance.  Circumstances incidental to the date I will keep a secret.  To me that was an outstanding event in my memory, as we had, shall I say, (subdated) on the sly for quite some time.  My courting days were short but romantic.  Oh, not as romantic as Romeo and Juliet, but they suited me.

On April 30, 1914, I was married to George Paskett in the Salt Lake Temple.  I had no trousseau.  My wedding presents were scarce.  My grandmother gave me two sheets and a pair of pillow cases.  My parents gave me many things to start keeping house with.  We didn’t have a shower or reception as they do now days.

Our first home was one room in the home of George’s parents.  It was a really small room and only a path through the middle of the room.  We bought us a table, a range and a chest of drawers called a chiffonier, also a kitchen cabinet.  We used an old bed belonging to George’s parents.  My first two babies were born in that room.  Rhea Emily was born on December 4, 1914 and Robert was born on September 9, 1916, with only midwives, Ellen Blanthorn and Mary Hadfield in attendance, bless their dear memories.

When Robert was about one year old, we moved into a two-roomed log house we had built.  It was down in the field.  We dug us a well and the water was so hard we couldn’t use it, so we used to haul water in a barrel to use at the house.  I would take the team on the white top buggy and go up to Mothers, fill the barrel and back home.  I have walked to Primary, Sunday School, and even to Mutual.  It was only a mile.  We lived in that house until the year 1920, then we moved into the home we now live in, in 1957.  We have built onto and remodeled it, put a new roof on and brick siding, so now it doesn’t look like the same house.

On September 8, 1921, another and third baby came to our home, a girl with black hair and eyes.  We called her Afton.

I have always loved to do church work and have worked in the Primary since I was a very young girl, then I was chosen to be second counselor to Sister Lillian Richins, then at her death, I was chosen to be President on February 7, 1926, and I had Sister Clara E. Frost and Emma Lucas Blanthorn as my counselors, and Alice Paskett as secretary.  I was released as President in March 1933.  I have spent many happy hours in doing Primary work.  I worked in MIA as second counselor with Martha Kimber as President, and Mae Kimber as first counselor, and Louisa Roberts was secretary.  I held that office from January 12, 1943 to August 11, 1946.

I have always had good neighbors and friends.  I love to meet people and listen to their views on life in general and I do especially like to meet church workers and hear them bear their testimony.

My travels have been limited, but when I do get a chance to go, I really enjoy traveling and seeing other places.  I have been in and traveled across seven of the western states and hope to some day go even farther.  I love to attend general conferences, also stake conferences.

I am a firm believer in prayer and have seen many wonders performed through prayer.  I have seen the sick healed almost instantly in answer to prayer.

I have visited and performed work for the dead in the Idaho Falls, Logan and Salt Lake Temples, and feel it is a wonderful work.  It gives me such satisfaction.  It has always been my desire to go on a mission, but to date that desire has not been fulfilled.  Another thing I have always wanted to do was go to all the temples, but I have never been able to accomplish this as yet.

In July 1957 I had the privilege of attending the Cardston Temple in Cardston, Canada.  I went to five sessions while there.

I just don’t know what my hobby is, unless it is collecting anything and everything.  My family tells me it is a menace but I still go on collecting, and find it real fascinating to see things that I have found, and nearly all of them have a story behind them.

Who am I to tell what my characteristics are?  Of course I naturally think I am pleasant, kind, thoughtful, helpful and generous, but will people who know me say that is a tall tale?  I hope not, for I do like to be thought well of.

My philosophy of life is, “Let your light so shine that others seeing your good works may follow after you,” and “I do love life.”

Written in 1974.

Since about 1968 Amanda spent her winters and later part of the summers in Tremonton where her daughter, Afton, had provided a trailer house for her to live in.

After a short illness with cancer, Amanda passed away very peacefully at the home of her daughter, Afton, on January 22, 1974 at 8:00 a.m.  She was active before her death and spent only her last few days in bed.  Funeral services were conducted in the Grouse Creek Ward, on Saturday, January 26, 1974.  Burial in the Grouse Creek Cemetery.