Thelma W. Jaynes

Thelma Louise Wood Jaynes, 1927-2023, 95, died peacefully in her sleep in her home in Taylorsville, Utah, on February 10, 2023. She was born May 21, 1927, in Murray, Utah, to James Stern and Cora Maude Rich Wood. She was the beloved younger sister of three older brothers, Everett Dellno, Stern R. and Shirley Rich Wood.

Thelma had a happy childhood in Bennion, growing up in the same house where her mother had been born and raised. She attended Plymouth Elementary School, Plymouth Junior High and graduated from Granite High School in 1945.

It was while working in the office at the U & I Sugar Factory on New Year's Eve, 1947, that she was introduced to Homer Warren Jaynes Jr. He asked her out for that night, but she already had a date. Their first date was January 13, 1948, and they were married 2 ½ months later in the Salt Lake Temple on March 30, 1948.

Homer and Thelma worked at dairy farming for a few years and their daughter, Coralee, and son, H. Warren, were born. In 1951, they moved to Starr Valley, Nevada, where they had purchased a cattle ranch. Two sons, Richard David and Fred Wood, and a daughter, Mary Ellen, joined the family.

Thelma was a homemaker and helped on the ranch. The family traveled to many towns in Nevada to support their children's sporting events. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was an important part of their lives, and Thelma enjoyed serving in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society.

In July 1974, Homer passed away from an aneurysm, leaving Thelma a widow for almost 49 years. In 1978, Thelma and Mary Ellen moved back to Bennion, Utah. She built a home next to her parents and near her brothers. Thelma loved her home and was blessed to remain in it for the remainder of her life.

Thelma had an active life and enjoyed working in her beautiful yard, watching sporting events-Utah Jazz and BYU--and traveling the world. She also served for 15 years as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple. Always very social, Thelma enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She was very generous, and on two different occasions, she chartered a bus and took her entire family to Disneyland.

Thelma was very proud of all of the missionaries in her family. She currently has 4 great-grandchildren serving as missionaries. There have been 25 missionaries among her descendants. Visitors to her home were always invited to look at the missionaries' photos with their area of service listed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and three brothers. She is survived by her children, Coralee and Mark Dahl, H. Warren and Glynna (Mortensen) Jaynes, Richard and Launa (Stoker) Jaynes, Fred and Lynn (Chadwick) Jaynes, and Mary and Steve Rudelich, 24 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren with 3 more expected, 1 great-great-granddaughter, and adopted family, Fred and Tiffany Lopez.

Services are under the direction of the McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah, where a viewing will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Another viewing and the funeral will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bennion Utah East Stake Center, at 5980 South 1300 West in Taylorsville, on Saturday, February 25, 2023, viewing 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment following at Murray City Cemetery, 5600 South Vine Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

To view services virtually please visit: http://bit.ly/thelmajfuneral

If you would like to show your love and support to Thelma, and the family you may send flowers, or consider making a donation to a charity of your choice in Thelma's name, as she loved donating and supporting others.