On May 31st, 2016, Rhea Smith Thurman returned to her Heavenly Father and into the open arms of her husband and joyous family who were anxiously waiting. Her beautiful smile and warm heart will be desperately missed by all who knew and loved her.
Rhea married her High School sweetheart Ronald Keith Thurman on July 22nd, 1954, and was later sealed as his eternal partner in the Salt Lake Temple on June 22nd, 1958. They were married for almost 60 years. She was Ron's best friend and spent the last several years of his life as his caregiver.
She was born on December 8th, 1937, in Granger, Utah, the youngest of seven children. Rhea loved her brothers, sisters and their spouses with all her heart, and they loved her. During their adult years Rhea was the glue that kept their family together. Whether it was a family party, picnic, card game or luncheon date, she loved to be with everyone. The more the merrier.
Rhea was the mother of five children, Terrie Lynn, Rhonda Sue (Steven) Lopez, Jeffrey Ronald (Kay), Rick Douglas (Dorothy) and Jennifer (Rob) Clark. She was extremely proud of her 20 Grandchildren and 43 Great Grandchildren, all of whom enjoyed visiting with Grandma Rhea and inviting her to come to their many activities. Nothing made her happier than the noise and commotion of a room full of family and friends.
As an active member of the LDS Church, she served in many leadership positions. Her favorite positions always involved the youth. She touched many lives along the way, teaching them the value of hard work and the importance of faith and service, all while having fun. Her sense of humor and ability to include everyone were just a few of her talents. She was also very active in her neighborhood and community. She never forgot her Granger roots. She always remembered great times and people from her long time residence in West Valley where she raised her family. She made many lifelong friends through her profession as a beautician.
When she and Ron moved to Saratoga Springs to "downsize," as she usually did, she quickly made a whole new group of friends whom she grew to love and cherish. While in Saratoga Springs she was always working in her yard, planting flowers and sharing her knowledge. Rhea could make anything grow and was excited to help others become involved in her passion for gardening.
She is preceded in death by her husband Ronald Keith Thurman, parents Severn Stanley and Vera Labrum Smith, daughter Terrie Lynn Thurman, granddaughter Aubrhea Sue Lopez. Also her sisters Phyllis Hammer, Shirley DeYoung, brother Doug Smith, sister-in-law Jan Smith and brother-in-law John DeYoung.
Funeral services will be held 11 am on Saturday June 4th, 2016 at Saratoga Springs Centennial Meetinghouse located at 49 East Centennial Blvd. Visitation will be Friday evening at Larkin Mortuary Riverton Chapel, 3688 W. 12600 S., Riverton, Utah, from 6 to 8 pm and at the church 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to services. Interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park at 2:00 pm Saturday afternoon.
Our thanks to Dr. Glynn Gilcrease, Huntsman Cancer Institute and Rocky Mountain Care Center, Riverton staff and Hospice workers who gave our Mom and family amazing care, love and respect. Bless you all.
