Donna Jean Southwick Beckstead Jones

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Donna Jean Southwick Beckstead Jones passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at the Highland Cove Retirement Center August 30, 2022, at 94 years old.

Donna was born March 3, 1928, to Edward Webb Southwick and Ellen Elaine Christensen in Lehi, Utah. She spent most of her early years in Cedar City, Utah and later moved to Salt Lake City where she lived the remainder of her life. At BYU Donna met and married Robert Byron Beckstead in July of 1949 in the Manti, Utah Temple. She is survived by their five children Robert Beckstead (Kristen), Stephen Beckstead (Becky), Kathy Julian, David Beckstead (Ann), and Julie Updike (Alan) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren from this marriage. They were later divorced.

In November 2003 Donna and Elroy Joseph Jones were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Elroy proceeded Donna in death August of 2021. They lovingly cared for each other and were up for any type of game with family and friends who visited in their home. They enjoyed serving together in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints including for several years as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake Temple. Donna is survived in this marriage by Roy’s children who Donna loved and who treated here so well. David Jones (Janine), Richard Jones (Marilyn), Kriss Wallin (Kent), Roger Jones (Heidi), Carol Jones, Stephen Jones (Suzanne) and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

Donna was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints her entire life. She loved serving others. She enjoyed all of her callings. Some of her favorite include serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Salt Lake Temple, Relief Society, including as President, the Young Women’s Presidency, and as a full-time missionary in the Nashville Tennessee Mission. At the time of her passing she was serving as a Relief Society teacher in the Highland Cove Branch.

From an early age Donna loved to perform and performed in singing groups for many years with dear friends. In 1947 she was selected as Miss Utah and participated in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City. She was later selected as the Banyon Queen at BYU. After the divorce Donna returned to school and graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree and her teaching certificate. She taught elementary school and junior high school in the Jordan School District for 22 years where she loved her students and helped produce many school plays.
Donna loved our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Her greatest joys in life were her family, her children and their spouses, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren who often sought her out for love and counsel. Each evening Donna prayed for each of her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren by name. She commented that each year her prayers grew longer. Her love for others was unconditional and treasured by her family.

Soon after moving into the Highland Cove Retirement Center Donna volunteered to serve as an ambassador welcoming new residence. Her family was always amazed at the number of people she would introduce them to at mealtime and church services. Many thanks to the residence and staff for their love and kindness to Donna the last year of her life.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and younger Brothers Edward Hale Southwick and Paul Robert Southwick. Two days after Donna’s passing her brother Richard Glen Southwick suddenly passed away.

Thank you to the many family, friends, and healthcare workers who took such conscientious and kind care of Donna.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, Sept 6th at the Foothill 3rd Ward Building address 1930 South 2100 East in Salt Lake City, UT. There will be a viewing that morning from 9:30 am – 10:30 am with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Larkin Sunset Gardens. Flowers can be sent to Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy Utah.