Emma Idella Cobbley Walker

Daughter of: Charles A. Cobbley and Emma Davis Cobbley

Married: James Henson Walker in December 1896.

Children: Charles Benjamin 1897-1974, Leo Ross 1898-1986, Zola 1900-1975, Rowena 1901-1975, Thomas Arnell 1903-1987, LeGrande 1905-1976, Calvin A. 1906-1980, Edna 1908-1988, Myron c. 1909-1915, Sarah Jane 1911-1931, Muriel 1914-1997, James Henson, Jr 1916-1997, Emma 1918-1992, Baby girl 1923-1923.


When the glories of spring and the hope of new life returned in the spring of 1879 to fill the earth with gladness, Emma Idella Cobbley appeared to bless and brighten the home of Charles Augustus Cobbley and his wife, Emma David. She was their first child, born May 20, 1879 in Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Grove, Utah.

She had agenial disposition and won the hearts of all who kew her. During childhood her formal school training was hampered by the custom of that period of seating the left handed pupils together to make the problem of breaking the left-handed habit more easily accomplished by the pupil and teacher. While other little girls were assigned seatmated of their own sex, Idella's seatmate was a left-handed boy. But without remorse she diligently tried to learn with her right hand. She succeeded in learning to write with both right and left hand. In fact she learned to do most manual tasks with either hand. Never-the-less, she became frustrated and resentful at being the only girl assigned a boy seatmate and quit school as soon as she could.

While a very young girl Della (as she was called) was given the responsibliity of taking care of her Grandmother Davis, who was a partial invalid. About this same time her father was called on a mission for the Church to the Southern States. She and her mother dried fruit, took in washings and performed housework for other families to provide for the family of eight whle the father was on his mission, traveling "without purse or script."

Dec. 27th 1896 she married James Henson Walker. he was then a student at Bingham Young Academy in Provo, Utah. Their early family life was a tremendous financial struggle, since work was difficult to obtain and their plans were set for him to continue school to prepare for a teaching career. She was always willing to sacrifice and work for her children and for her husband, managing the home and the farm, that he might continue his education. During the continuing Summer School sessions she very successfully directed the owrk of the family farm, such as water turns, fruit and berry harvesting and the routine chores essential to the care of of horses, chickens, pigs, cows,etc. At the same time she performed the enormous task of caring for her ever increasing family. Her housekeeping taks of baking, meal preparation, school lunches, sewing, cleaning and mending were marvels to behold. The perfectionist could not expect better bread, white-nut cake, and lemon pie than she regularlu prepared, nor a cleaner, more orderly home, than she kept and maganed. Her abiltiy to successfully manage and conduct the family affairs during her husband's absence to summer school sessions, was high-lighted by the purchase of a handsome gold watch for his birthday, from savings of the berry harvest. It was a complete surprise to all the children as well as to the happy, proud father.

She loved good books and high class entertainment. During the long winter evenings her husband often read parts from books and told other parts of the story. This was done while she was darning, mending, or recovering following the birth of a baby. All the family enjoyed this very much and learned to love good literature from this experience.

She was optimistic, cheerful and efficient in her home. While her duties were many and time consuming, she found time to join her husband in many public activities. In fact he was displeased if she was not, and it was said by acquaintances, that she was always at his side. She was never one to complain, or condem or say unkind things about anyone. Her creed was "If you can't say something good of people, keep still."

She was indeed a wonderful mother with unlimited patience and composure. her life was spent working and sacrificing for her family, with never a thought of self. Too much praise cannot be said of the mother who is willing and able to bring into the owrld a wonderful family of thirteen healthy chldren and give them the training of a true LAtter Day Saint home (14 children including Daughter Walker). Humility, kindness, simple sincerity, cobined with a sweet, even temper and unwavering courage, were her outstanding qualities. She constantly taught truth, loyaltly, virtue and dependability. Her family was always the glorious part of her life. No sacrifice was ever too great for her to make for them.

Yet with her large family and all the work it required, she found time to be active in the MIA as a counsilor. She was President of the Primary at that time pf her death. During the fourteen years her husband was Bishop of the Ward, she was a true Ward Mother- preparing and serving elaborate Sunday dinners and other meals for Official Church Visitiors or to anyone who happened by.

Emma Idella Cobbley Walker died of internal hemorrage July 4, 1923, and was buried in the family plot at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Her death occurred while her husband was away, and she was managing the affairs of the family. In fact she had completed plans and arrangements for a family picnic to the canyon for the holiday. her death might be classed an accident, since it happened during the absence of two local doctors who knew her condition and would have have been able to help her. The only available physician was not aquainted with her condition and was unable to render assistance in time to save her life. In her short life of forty-four years she completely filled the purpose of her creation, to a much greater degree perhaps than many who live much longer. Her devoted family with their ideals and high standards, love and respcet, are evidence of the complete, full, happy life she lived.

By Leo R. Walker, Son