Alita (Wilkins) Romney

Alita Wilkins Romney passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents, James Ralph and Eva Lina Judd Wilkins, her brother James Ralph, and her daughter Shawnie Romney Tull and grandson Ian Barlow Tull. Alita is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Ianthus B. Romney Jr. (Barry), her children Raena Tonini, Darren Romney, Rochelle Thompson, Kimball Romney, Ronielle Romney, Annie Bales, Reeahn McKenna, her siblings Gail Trowbridge, Lee Wilkins, Reuel Wilkins, and Rae Carr, and 28 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Alita Wilkins Romney was born on May 23, 1941, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was raised in rural Idaho and loved her family dearly. While they did not have many physical possessions growing up, she always said they had plenty of love to spare. Alita was a people person and cherished her childhood friendships throughout her entire life. She had an interest in nursing from a young age and after high school she attended Ricks College where she studied nursing. She was named the Student Nurse of the Year for the state of Idaho while in school and said she had thought that would always be her "claim to fame". Those who love her know that her legacy will go far beyond this achievement she earned early in her life.

While in nursing school, Alita's bishop strongly encouraged her to serve a mission. Her academic advisors encouraged her to instead finish her course work. She spent an evening at the temple grounds in Idaho Falls and received her answer to serve a full-time mission once her studies were complete. Serving her full-time mission was a significant time in her life and she would often share stories from this time. While serving in Japan, she met a young missionary from El Paso, Texas named Barry Romney who she became friends with.

After they returned from Japan, Alita and Barry continued their friendship and began their courtship in Provo, Utah. Barry was attending Brigham Young University and Alita was working as a nurse at the Provo Hospital. After their marriage, she continued her nursing career at the BYU Health Center while Barry finished his degree. After graduation, Alita and Barry moved to Hill Air Force Base in Utah where they began a 21 year long career in the Air Force and Alita became a full-time homemaker. While it was always difficult for Alita to live away from her family in Idaho, she loved the experiences she and Barry had during their military career. After their assignment in Utah they were stationed in Fuchu AS in Japan, Sheppard AFB in Texas, Keesler AFB in Mississippi, Ramstein AB in Germany and Andrews AFB in Maryland. After retiring from the military, Barry and Alita stayed in the Springfield, Virginia, area and have been in their home for 39 years.

Alita loved her children and was a wonderful mother. Many of the years she was busy raising her children and running her home she was heavily involved in different service callings for her church. Alita was a woman of faith and her beliefs impacted how she interacted with others. She loved people, and always wanted to truly know those she served.

Alita was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and this began a long journey of increasing health difficulties for her. While her health kept her from doing many of the physical things she hoped to do in her later years, she was grateful for the time she had with Barry and often spoke of his dedicated service to her these past two decades. In spite of her many challenges, she had a passion for life and fought to remain with her family as long as possible. She is loved and will be missed by many.

Friends and family may gather for visitation on Friday, July 29, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Jefferson Funeral Chapel. A short visitation will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sydenstricker Road in Springfield, Virginia, with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.

Interment will take place on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Grant Cemetery 154 N 3300 E, Rigby, Idaho. A reception will follow at 12492 North 5th East, Idaho Falls, Idaho. All are welcome to attend.

The service may be viewed virtually via the link below: https://zoom.us/j/97888936188 To join by phone, please call: +1 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 978 8893 6188 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/anpnO1zZ0