Pearl Atchley

Pearl Fullmer Atchley, 89, of Tetonia, Idaho, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2015, at Teton Valley Hospital in Driggs. She was born June 20, 1925, in Tetonia, Idaho, to Warren and Luella Rammell Fullmer. She attended Teton Valley schools until her senior year in high school. At that time, she and a cousin moved to Blackfoot, Idaho where they lived with an aunt and uncle and thrived in the company of several other cousins. She graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1943. After high school, Pearl worked as a telephone switchboard operator, then moved to Salt Lake City for a time where she worked at Purity Biscuit Company and Sears Department Store, while taking classes at Henager Business School. In 1945, returning to Teton Valley, she worked as secretary to an agricultural agent. At a winter carnival dance shortly after Christmas, 1945, she met the love of her life, Wayne Atchley from the Ashton area. On June 20, 1946, her 21st birthday, they were married. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. When they were first married, they lived in a logging camp on Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone, Montana. The following years brought several different occupational endeavors for Wayne, and they claimed Tetonia as their permanent home. In 1947, their only daughter, Kim, was born. Pearl began working for the U.S. Postal Department as a substitute clerk. Over the next 30 years, she advanced from one position to another, eventually becoming Postmaster, a post she held for several years. Here she exhibited her wonderful "people skills", one of her most genuine attributes. She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in most organizations. One of her greatest services was as visiting teaching coordinator, a calling she faithfully and proudly filled for 20 years. Her husband, Wayne, died in August 2000. They had 54 years together. Pearl was loved by young and old alike for her warm, welcoming manner. All who knew her were embraced by her unpretentious, sincere nature. She is survived by her daughter Kim (Kendall) Smith of Tetonia and four grandchildren: Trent Smith (Sugar City, ID), Ember Anderson (Logan, UT), Erin Manwaring (Eagle Mountain, UT), Tyler Smith (Farr West, UT). Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015 at the Tetonia LDS Church with Bishop James Douglass officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Cache-Clawson Cemetery in Tetonia under the direction of Valley Mortuary in Driggs.

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