Carma Smith Wood

1940 ~ 2019

Carma Smith Wood, 78, left mortality on January 5, 2019, from pancreatic cancer. She lived her final weeks surrounded by loving friends, neighbors, and family. Carma was born June 7, 1940 to Ellis George Smith and Fay Anderson Smith. While proud of her Ogden roots, her homes included California, Alaska, upstate New York, and Pennsylvania. A model of poise and beauty, Carma was crowned Miss Franklin County, and took first runner-up in the 1958 Miss Pennsylvania Pageant. Following high school, Carma headed to Brigham Young University to start college. In the spring of that year, she agreed to a Mother's Day date with Richard L. Wood and five months later, on September 18, 1959, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

Carma met every adventure with a resounding, "yes!" She loved traveling the world, visiting Africa, Europe, Asia, and Central America. Carma skied, hiked, whitewater rafted, fished, tubed at Lake Powell (even though she couldn't swim) and paraglided off the top of the Tetons to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary! She took on life with exuberance and passion.

Serving others gave Carma joy and fulfillment. She served as a Beehive House Guide, member of Classics Club and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and as a Lambda Delta Sigma Advisor at the University of Utah. She performed hundreds of quiet acts of service for friends, neighbors and strangers alike.

A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her service included Stake Primary President, Church Writing Committee, several Relief Society positions, and service at the Veterans' Rest Home Branch. She deepened her testimony of the Savior by spending many years as an ordinance worker and shift coordinator at the Salt Lake Temple. It was always Carma's wish to serve a fulltime mission, and although she did not enjoy the large insects, she was overjoyed to serve with her favorite missionary companion in Kuching, Malaysia.

Carma was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She prepared and sent two sons on missions. She saw her children and several grandchildren sealed in the temple to wonderful companions. She never missed a chance to attend baptisms, ordinations, recitals, school plays, sporting events and graduations. The Trick-or-Treat apron, profitable Easter egg hunts, Christmas nutcrackers, competitive game play against anyone, Oakley Rodeo cheers, 24th of July parades, birthday lunch dates, and Christmas breakfast will never be the same without her. Our fond memories of special occasions with her will be treasures for years to come.

During her last days, mom urged her family to focus on the "small, important things" that bring joy in the journey of life. Thank you, mom, for giving us a strong example to follow.

Carma was preceded in death by her parents and her brother E. Gene Smith. She is survived by her best friend and eternal adventure companion, Richard L. Wood, her children Richard Scott Wood (Lisa), Rebecca Richards (Michael), Thomas Jay Wood (Kathy), Suzanne Kingsford (Robert), sisters Rosanne Smith, and LaVaun Ficklin (Perry), 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Our family would like to give special thanks to all the caregivers in her last days for their tender and loving attention.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 2215 East Roosevelt Ave. Visitations will be held Thursday evening from 7:00-9:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn (2350 East 1300 South) and Friday morning from 11:00-12:30 pm at the church prior to the service. Interment will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.