Marzell Locust

Marzell Flake Locust, 88, of Snowflake passed away peacefully at her home on December 23, 2015 after an extended illness. Marzell was born in Snowflake on May 28, 1927, the fourth child of Marshall Flake and Malinda Wright. She learned to play the trumpet as a youth, and was a well-loved source of musical entertainment. She graduated from Snowflake High School and attended a semester at Arizona State College (now ASU), before moving to Salt Lake City, Utah to play the trumpet in a local dance orchestra. While in Salt Lake City she met and married in 1948 her first husband, George C. "Tony" Vance, and were sealed in the Manti Temple. They had five children before moving to Phoenix in 1959. Marzell enjoyed 22 years with Tony, which was interrupted in mortality by his premature death from cancer in 1970. A widow at 43 with children still at home, Marzell moved to Snowflake the following year into her childhood home. She found great love and support from family and friends in her beloved hometown. In 1972 Marzell married Jack Locust, and enjoyed several years with him professionally performing Western music.After her second husband passed away in 1988, Marzell spent many years between her home in Snowflake and her "Ranch" property off of Concho Highway, where many enjoyed visiting her, and especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who now treasure many memories of times with her there. Marzell was an active member of the LDS Church, where she served in various callings in Primary and Relief Society. Besides her musical talent, Marzell was well known for her happy spirit and optimism. She loved life and endured her trials well. Until the end of her life, those who would call or visit at her home would marvel how they would always gain an emotional lift after being in contact with Marzell. She devoted her life to serving others, including several years delivering with Meals on Wheels.Marzell was preceded in death by her parents and all seven of her siblings, as well as her son Thomas, stepson Gary Locust, and grandson Gary Sorensen, Jr. Survivors include sons George C. Vance, Jr. and Charles M. Vance (Rebecca), daughters Bonnie Prestwich (Garth) and Bettie Sorensen (Gary), stepson Jack K. Locust (Donna) and stepdaughter Sheila Wright (William), as well as 17 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. The funeral service for Marzell will begin 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the Main Street Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 48 N. Main Street in Snowflake, Arizona where the visitation will begin 1 hour prior.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Arizona.