George Wallace Rollins

George Wallace Rollins was born 20 September 1869 in Centerville, Utah. He was the ninth child born to Steuben and Amanda Rollins. His parents were pioneer residents of Centerville, Utah. George was raised in Centerville on a farm with his 5 brothers and 4 sisters. He had 3 brothers that died early in infancy.

In 1896 George Wallace served a mission to the southern states. He spent a lot of time in Mississippi. While serving his mission, he never knew where he would be sleeping for the night or what meals he would be eating. He kept an awesome journal of his experiences of his mission. Some of his favorite foods while there were peaches, gubers, and any fruit that reminded him of home. He loved getting his letters from home. He contracted malaria fever while there and was very sick

George Wallace met Elizabeth Ellen Rampton and dated her for a period of time. Elizabeth's mother Ada Alice MacDuff Rampton wasn't happy about this courtship because George was 15 years older than Elizabeth. But the couple fell in love and were married 5 December 1907 in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Their first child Charles Wallace Rollins was born 23 August 1908 in Centerville. Leona Rampton Rollins was born 23 November 1910. George Athen Rollins was born 23 February 1912 and Iva May Rollins was born 29 May 1916. The kids were all born in Centerville and now the family was complete. The kids adored their father and loved working on the farm with him.

George Rollins, was tall, handsome, and loving. He was a good man, honest, and his word was his bond. He had very light brown hair and blue eyes. His hair got darker as he got older. He loved his family very much.

George Wallace was Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years. When he was up there at the podium, his daughters thought that he was the most handsome man in the whole world. He was so good and strong.

The Rollins family lived about one mile from the ward church house. George would put Iva and Athen, one on each shoulder, their arms around his neck. Elizabeth would follow with Charles and Leona by the hands and they would all walk to church. When the weather was bad George hitched up the horses to the surrey, a covered two seated horse carriage. The horses and carriage were tethered to the fence posts behind the church. But the noises, other horses and many people bothered the horses and they became very restless and unruly. It was better and less bother to just take off and walk to church.

George was "Ward Teacher" in their ward for many years. He loved visiting with the people and his gospel. Monday night at 7:00 pm was Priesthood meeting. He considered it one of the most important meetings of the church. He read the scriptures religiously and would talk for hours of the Bible stores and quoted the Bible, Book of Mormon, and his favorite the Pearl of Great Price from memory.

George loved his animals. He always had a matched team of horses. At Christmas time he would harness them up and hitch them to their sleigh. He added a string of bells to the harness and it was a happy sound as the family glided through the snow. George heated large rocks and bricks in their oven to keep the kids feet warm. Also straw in the sleigh box and some seats for comfort but mostly the kids snuggled in the straw and had blankets to keep them warm.

The family had very large alfalfa fields for feed for the horses and cows. George rotated the hay fields every few years. The alfalfa put nutrients back into the ground that other crops used up and rotation was a form of fertilizing the fields. In the fall and winter time George made a ball diamond with sacks of sand for the bases, etc. All the kids and young men in town came there to play ball.

The family suffered a great loss when their oldest son Charles Wallace died 23 February 1926. Then in the early 1930's George Wallace got cancer in his stomach. He suffered greatly for final 6 months. He couldn't stand anything touching the tumor on his stomach. George Wallace Rollins died 24 February 1932 at his home in Centerville. He was buried 29 February 1932 in Centerville. This family dearly missed their father and brother. George was a wonderful husband and father and has been greatly missed.

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On death certificate it says he was born in 1869 - on headstone birth date is 1871.
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George W. Rollins Rites Set Sunday

George Wallace Rollins, 62, active LDS Church worker, died at the family home , Wednesday evening, following a six month illness. He was born here Sept 20, 1869, a son of Steuben and Amanda France Rollins, pioneer residents of Centerville, Davis county.

Mr. Rollins filled a 2 year mission in the southern states in the late 1890's and has been an active church worker serving in the Sunday school superintendence, as a ward teacher, on the south Davis MIA stake board, and as a member of the MIA presidency.

During his lifetime he engaged in farming, dairying, and market gardening, and was an active and progressive citizen.

Surviving him are his widow, Elizabeth Rampton Rollins, one son Athen Rollins, two daughters, Mrs. Leona Rollins Hepworth of Woodscross, and Iva Rollins of Centerville. One grandchild, five brothers & sisters: S.O. Rollins, Charles Rollins, and Mrs. Alice Rollins Ford, Centerville. Mrs. Amanda Rollins Ford, Malad, Idaho and Mrs. Blanche Rollins Weaver, of Mountain Home, Idaho.

Funeral will be held at 2:00 pm in the Centerville 2nd Ward. Internment will be in local cemetery.