Lucy Venables

Beloved wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt, friend, and everyone’s favorite elementary teacher, Lucy Wood Venables, 74, passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes, on March 14, 2024, at the home of her daughter, in Eagle Mountain, Utah. She was born June 7, 1949, in Cedar City, Utah, to Lehi and Elsa Wood.

Lucy was born the second of six kids and as the only girl, she soon became the glue to the whole family. As a child she enjoyed the school years in Cedar City and the summers at the ranch on the desert. As a proud Redman, high school graduation was from Cedar City High School Class of 1967, then later from Southern Utah State College, now Southern Utah University, in Education, and later in Special Education. She taught at Beryl Elementary (kindergarten), South Elementary (2nd grade), and then retired from Enoch Elementary (Special Education). She lived in many places, including California as a child, but was happy to return back to the farm in Utah, where she spent a whole week outside. Returning to California later in life, she met her lifetime partner and eternal spouse, Daniel. Together they created a life with four children whom she dearly loved and enjoyed every visit and conversation. Lucy loved watching them all grow and begin families of their own, whether it be children or dogs. Once the grandchildren started coming, she began creating grandma projects and teaching her grandchildren many crafts at her children’s houses where she did not have to clean up. As her family, we are happy to know that she is out of pain and reunited with loved ones whom she missed dearly. Lucy is now celebrating with her mother for her 100th birthday, in heaven. Lucy was the glue and the rock that kept her entire family together all the way until the end.

She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and held many positions, including primary, young women’s, and relief society.

Lucy had many things she loved outside of her family, such as reading, baking, crocheting, making baby bibs, quilting, reading some more, playing the piano, and watching the horses run from the window. Some of her favorite authors were Richard Paul Evans and Debbie McComber. She was also a great storyteller and teacher of genealogy. When she was young, she enjoyed racing her brothers to the bus. The one time that she actually won, it came at the price of a violin, but she has always been proud that she won that race to the school bus. After working her whole life, she discovered her love of sleeping in. As a proud Marine’s daughter, she gladly served as a volunteer for the Marine Corps Auxiliary. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Cedar City Hospital in the gift shop and at the front desk.

Lucy is survived by her spouse, Daniel Venables and their children, John (Krista) Venables of West Jordan, Dana (J.T.) Reilly of Cedar City, Amanda (Matt) Davis of Eagle Mountain, and Anne (Jason) Excell of Panguitch. She is also survived by grandchildren, Austin Duran, Wyatt (Hope) Davis, Trenten (Kiley) Duran, Cheyenne Davis, Linda Reilly, Rhett Davis, Aylla Davis, four great grandchildren, and one on the way. She is also survived by her brothers, Val Wood, Matthew (Marilyn) Wood, Randy (Aleta) Wood, and Mont (Cindy) Wood. We cannot forget how much she has loved all of her granddogs!

To the best mother and teacher, we apologize for any grammatical errors that you may find in this tribute.

Lucy is preceded in death by her father, Lehi Wood, mother, Elsa Pendleton Wood, brother, David Wood, sisters-in-law, Margo Wineinger and Regina Wood, nieces, Wendy Wood and Brigitte Galindro, and son-in-law Jerry Edwards.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., at the Heritage Chapel (290 W 1045 N, Cedar City, Utah, 84721). A viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 N 300 W, Cedar City, Utah, 84720, and at the Church on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., before the funeral service. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be made at mortuary.org.