Orpha Clarice Stringham

St. George, Utah – A California girl at heart, Orpha Clarice Stringham, was born in Long Beach, CA in 1929, the second youngest of four children born to her father, Fred Jolly, and mother, Arles Irene Conley. Orpha did not talk much about her childhood, but we know it was not without its challenges. Having been born at the height of the Great Depression, Orpha's family struggled to get by. They lived in a tiny two room bungalow, her father working as a machinist and her mother picking up odd jobs, like doing the neighbors' laundry for a few extra pennies, to ensure the family's survival. Indicative of the times, Orpha's mother would bring the kids along to the weekly bread line for extra food to feed the family - something Orpha's father refused to do out of sheer pride. Despite the hardships of her youth, Orpha found refuge at the nearby beach, the bungalow where she grew up being just a few blocks from the Pike; a beach boardwalk known for its arcades and amusement rides. Orpha loved the feeling of the sand beneath her toes and would frequently reminisce about her time spent by the ocean, even long after she moved to Southern Utah.
In 1945, when Orpha was just 16, her mother tragically passed away from cancer at just 39 years-old, leaving behind a grieving husband and four young children, Fred, Freida, Orpha, and Beverly, who was just 6 years-old when their mother died. Although Orpha would never get over the sudden loss of her cherished mother, she found some reprieve in the blooming young love she found with her adored husband of 73 years, Ralph Gordon Stringham. Having met Ralph when she was just 15 years old, the two reconnected again when Ralph returned from serving overseas in the Navy. Together, they enjoyed dates at the drive-in and days at the beach (well Orpha enjoyed those beach days, Ralph begrudgingly went along) almost always with Orpha's young sister Beverly in tow as their father was deep in the throes of grief and unable to care for Beverly. In 1947, at the young age of 17, Orpha married Ralph at a modest courthouse wedding and the two took in Beverly and raised her as their own.
Soon thereafter, Ralph and Orpha bought a small post-war home in Downey, California where they would live for several years, Ralph working construction and Orpha caring for the home and her three young boys, William (Bill), David (Dave), and Daniel (Danny). Although far from adventurous and hardly a lover of the great outdoors (aside from the beach, of course), Orpha and the family enjoyed frequent trips back to Utah, the birthplace of Ralph, to visit Ralph's mother and enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, and fishing. Always a good sport, albeit not without complaints, Orpha reluctantly went along on many of these adventures avoiding, of course, any strenuous or potentially dangerous activities at all cost - Orpha much preferred the air-conditioned comforts of her home where she could focus on the activities she enjoyed the most like knitting, crocheting, quilt making - she was a true artist when it came to making quilts - sewing, spoiling her children and grandchildren, or cooking Ralph his favorite meals.
When the boys were a bit older, the Stringham family moved slightly farther south to Garden Grove, California where they continued to live for the next several decades. Sadly, in 1973, tragedy struck once again, when Orpha's eldest son, Bill, disappeared from the aircraft carrier, the Midway, while Bill was serving in the Navy during the Vietnam war. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, Orpha forged on, continuing to love and serve her growing family, with her middle son, David, marrying Susan and having Orpha's first two grandchildren: Matthew and Carrie. Shortly thereafter, Orpha's youngest son, Daniel, married Theresa, and they had three children of their own: Michelle, Kelly, and Melissa. Having known no other vocation outside of being a homemaker, as a true testament to her tenacity, Orpha found a career in real estate at the ripe young age of 50. Also, while in Garden Grove, Orpha, having converted to the Mormon faith after marrying Ralph, found her stride and passion within the Church of Latter-Day Saints, acting as the Relief Society President at her ward, a role she enjoyed for many years.
In the early 1990s, Ralph having tired of the hustle and bustle of Southern California and looking to get back to his roots in retirement, moved him and Orpha to St. George, Utah where they continued to be active in the church and enjoyed frequent travels with, and visits from, their many friends and family. Although she enjoyed a tranquil life with Ralph in Utah, hardship would continue to strike, with Orpha having been diagnosed and fought breast cancer not once, but twice, in addition to other personal struggles which she and Ralph always took on together leaning on their love, faith, and the type of strength born only from their generation. Despite the hardships she faced in life, and there were many, she kept pushing on, her resilience in the face of tragedy was incomparable.
While far away from their grandchildren in St. George, Orpha remained a doting grandmother, her grandchildren cherishing those visits to Utah to spend time with grandma and grandpa. Indeed, to know Orpha is to know that she was born to be a grandmother. Orpha was the quintessential grandmother, the type you only read about in books or saw in the movies. She adored her grandchildren showering them with unconditional love and endlessly spoiling them at any chance she could get while sharing her wisdom, generosity, and cherished hobbies with each of them. Orpha also lived long enough to see the birth of her 9 precious great-grandchildren: Cole, Harper, Nitro, Cori, Malkada, Bowen, Emerson, Eliza, Ari, and Poppy, all of whom are fortunate to have known such a special person.
While Orpha would certainly have been honored to enjoy the legacy of being the most special grandmother and great-grandmother to have ever lived, she was so much more than that. Her true legacy was that of a cherished wife to her soulmate of 73 years, Ralph; loving mother to her three sons; devoted woman of faith; selfless humanitarian; successful businesswoman; and intrepid survivor. Despite her grandmotherly nature, however, Orpha was also quite a spitfire, someone who was not afraid to speak her mind and who did not shy away from putting you in your place. And that was what was so special about her; she could not be pigeonholed as she was in a class by herself.
Our entire family is infinitely grateful to have had Orpha in our lives for as long as we did. She was a true treasure to this world, a rare soul, and someone who meant so much to so many. We will forever honor your legacy. Rest in peace eternally with grandpa.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. A viewing will be held Wednesday, prior to services, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment will follow in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah. Orpha Stringham Funeral Service Program