For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.

Mary Ann Cox

Mary Ann Johnston Cox (Mom) was born on November 10, 1945 to Eva and William Johnston at their home in Princeton, West Virginia. She was the youngest of twelve children, which may explain why she came into this world already full of fire, knowing how to survive chaos, and still somehow having enough love to go around.

She married Stephen Elson Cox on November 28, 1966 at the Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada. The proposal and wedding may have been a bit unconventional, but it clearly worked — they spent nearly 60 years together building a life, a family, and a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Mom always said he was the most handsome man she had ever dated and that his kisses kind of took her breath away. Their partnership was not perfect, but it showed us what loyalty, companionship, forgiveness, and showing up for one another over a lifetime can look like.

Her two favorite things were family and travel. Because she had a large family, she did not always have the opportunity to travel everywhere she dreamed of going, but her favorite destinations were wherever family was, along with Hawaii and Branson. Her yearly trips back to West Virginia filled her cup. She often missed her family deeply and wished she could have lived closer to them. She especially loved sisters’ weekends and family reunions, where she could laugh, reminisce, and reconnect with the people she loved the most.

Family was never a small thing to her; it was everything. She is survived by her husband, Stephen and all nine of her children: Janet (John), Penelope, Amanda (Trent), Matthew (Stephanee), Angela (Mike), Gwendolyn (Aaron), Eva (Nathan), Morgan (Katie), and Stephanie (Cale). She is also survived by 30 grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren, whom she loved with the same fierceness as her own children, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

Because she lived so far from her own family, her in-laws became deeply important to her. She loved her father- and mother-in-law, Elson and LaVerne Cox, as if they were her own parents, and her sister-in-law, Susy Lyon, became as much a sister to her as her biological sisters.

Mom’s life was not always easy. Some of her births were difficult, she missed her family in West Virginia terribly at times, and the dairy years nearly did her in. She claimed she did not have any talents, but we would argue that resilience, patience, persistence, and unconditional love are talents of the highest kind. She was the hardest worker many of us have ever known, and she leaves us not only with memories, but with pieces of herself in the paintings she created over the years.

Mom’s last text in the family group chat was, “There will be plenty of Vienna sausages for everyone.” That sentence somehow captures her perfectly. She could be stubborn and opinionated, but she was also funny, loving, and human in all the best ways.

There are so many things we will miss: her voice, her laugh, the comfort of knowing she was there, the stories, the traditions, the way she cared so deeply, and all the little things that quietly made her “Mom.” We will miss the ordinary moments most of all.

In her “Stories of My Life” book, she wrote that the most important things in her life were her family and her health.

She wanted to stay healthy enough to enjoy her family for as long as possible. She was not ready to go. She had more great-grandchildren to welcome into the world and more of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives she wanted to witness. Unfortunately, her body betrayed her, and she did not get the time she so desperately wanted.

She leaves behind a large family who will continue telling her stories, repeating her sayings, laughing over memories, and carrying pieces of her into future generations. Her love remains deeply woven into all of us.

And while our hearts are broken, we can still hear her somewhere saying that the “best people in the world are in her family.”

Betty Wood

Betty June Gabbert Wood, our beloved mother, Nana, and Great-Nana, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on May 15, 2026, at the age of 82. Mom lived a life defined by sacrifice, service, and unwavering devotion to her family. She endured trials and burdens throughout her life that most people could never have carried, yet she possessed a strength beyond measure. Above all else, Mom was a woman of deep faith — faith in her religion and faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Betty was born on July 7, 1943, in Pocatello, Idaho to Harold Gabbert and Ada Elizabeth Elser Gabbert. She was the youngest of five children. Mom loved growing up in Pocatello and often spoke fondly of the dear friends she made there. She played the clarinet in high school and was a member of the marching band.

She later attended LDS Business College, where she met the love of her life, Dorald Jenkins Wood. They were married and sealed in the Logan, Utah Temple on September 6, 1963. Together they began their family in Bountiful, Utah, where four of their children were born. A few years later they moved to Afton, Wyoming, where they welcomed two more children into their family.

Mom was truly a giant of a woman. Though she stood only 5 feet and ½ inch tall in her prime, she was stronger and taller than anyone we knew. After the tragic passing of her husband Dorald on Feb 21, 1991, she raised six children on her own for the next 35 years. The years that followed were not easy, but Mom faithfully filled the roles of both provider and comforter until the day she passed. She worked tirelessly to provide for her family while living a humble and simple life. Through every hardship, she carried herself with quiet determination, resilience, and love for her children.

Mom held many jobs throughout her life, including working at Pizza Hut in Afton, Star Valley Drug, Sam’s Club, and Dollar Tree. She was loved by coworkers and customers alike and brought warmth and kindness to everyone she met. Her favorite job, however, was working in the cafeteria at the Logan Utah Temple.

The winters in Star Valley eventually became difficult for Mom, and she later moved to Smithfield, Utah to be closer to her children. Smithfield became her home for more than 25 years. She loved living there and was especially excited when the Church announced a temple would be built nearby.  She would often say “I can see MY temple from the kitchen window.” She deeply hoped to attend the open house and dedication while she was alive. Though she may not attend in person, we know she will be there in spirit.

Mom always needed to stay busy. She was never one to sit still and filled her days doing the things she loved: crocheting hot pads — many, many hot pads — reading books, and cleaning her house. Her hot pads can now be found in homes all across the world because she would never let anyone leave without one or two.

Mom loved card games, and with old age came a few new tricks. We are fairly certain she cheated from time to time, though she always played innocent and we happily let her get away with it. Her favorite meals to prepare when family came to visit were cheese soup and brownies.

Mom lived a simple life without concern for fancy things. She was a master seamstress and lived by the saying: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”

Later in life, Mom was able to travel the world with some of her children. She visited South Korea several times, stood atop the Eiffel Tower, visited Sweden, and cruised on the Baltic Sea. She was also able to attend the open house and dedication of the Helsinki Finland Temple, where Dorald served his LDS mission. Most recently she visited Yellowstone National Park with her son.

Mom was always more concerned about others than herself. Shortly after her fall and hospitalization, she worried about upcoming birthdays, graduations, and marriages of her grandchildren. She wanted to make sure cards and checks were sent to each of them so they would know she was thinking of them and that she loved them. Mom quietly gave to food banks, struggling families, and those in need, even during times when she herself had very little.

Betty was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout her life. She quietly performed countless acts of service, most of them unseen and without recognition. More than anything, Mom had an unwavering testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. She spent many hours on her knees in prayer, pleading with the Lord through her trials and afflictions, and especially for her children and grandchildren. Shortly before her passing, she said with peace and certainty, “I will see Jesus Christ next week.”

Mom is survived by her six children: Joe Wood (Kira) of Texas; Taunalee Raymond (Hal) of Utah; Wendi Putnam (Curt) of Idaho; Kyle Wood (Corey) of Idaho; Bonnie Murray (Clayne) of Tennessee; and Ben Wood of Idaho. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and two more great-grandchildren expected in November.

At Mom’s request, no funeral services will be held. A private family graveside service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Mom would ask that donations be made to support a missionary or someone in need.

Allison Sullivan

“Well done thou good and faithful servant.” These words from the Parable of the Talents (KJV) describe Allison Colleen Larsen Sullivan more aptly than anyone you have known. They are the first words she heard upon her arrival in heaven on May, 20, 2026 at the age of 61.

Allison was born to Max Lavell Larsen and Isabella (Isabell) Gray Richmond on October 26, 1964 at the Star Valley LDS Hospital in Afton, Wyoming.

Lavell married Mary Ann Lainhart in 1967, and Allison was raised in their modest yellow house set in the hay fields of her Grandpa Larsen’s ranch and within the Salt River mountain range in Thayne, Wyoming with her three sisters.

Allison (Allie to her family), grew up hiking the mountain trails, wading in the frigid creeks, helping on the ranch, riding horses, and making the most of the long, deep winters. She was surrounded by a large, close-knit family, with two sets of grandparents nearby and a steady presence of aunts, uncles, and cousins woven into everyday life.

When she was 14 years old, Allison won second place showing one of Grandpa Larsen’s heifers at Lincoln County Fair, taking after her father, who won two blue ribbons for his Holstein heifer at the Wyoming State Fair in 1959.

Allison lived a life of excellence, beginning with her academic career. She won many awards, including earning first place in the 1982 regional Lincoln-Douglas debate in competitive speech. She participated in the American Legion Wyoming Girl’s State, the Junior Legislature, and Honor Society.

Allison played viola in the high school orchestra and was selected to play in the All-State orchestra her Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years. She also played in the annual Star Valley Messiah community performance.

She was the Salutatorian for the Star Valley High School class of 1983. She was awarded a full-ride Trustees’ Scholars award to the University of Wyoming, which she attended in Laramie in the fall of 1983.

In 1986, Allison moved to Atlanta, Georgia and worked for Phillips Medical Systems, attending Georgia State University at night.

For nearly 16 years, Allison faithfully served as a cherished member of Pinnacle Bank’s (formerly Synovus) mortgage products team. She supported mortgage loan originators as they helped people secure financing for a home—work she embraced with deep purpose and pride.

Allison believed deeply in the value of helping others achieve the American dream of homeownership, and that belief was reflected in the care, dedication, and compassion she brought to her work each day. She led through quiet example and her colleagues and management looked to her as a trusted source of wisdom, guidance, and support.

Rooted in her Wyoming cowgirl upbringing, Allison carried an unwavering can-do spirit, a strong work ethic, and a heart big enough to touch everyone around her.

Allison met her devoted husband, Warren Sullivan in 1994 through his brother, Charles, and a mutual friend who owned a men’s clothing store where she did some computer consulting. They had a memorable first date at Little Five Points, a bohemian area of Atlanta, that Halloween. Warren proposed on Good Friday, 1996, and they married on top of Stone Mountain on May 18, 1996. Her sister Holly sang their favorite song, When You Say Nothing at All, at the wedding reception.

Allison loved music from classical to the ‘80s rock of her generation. She relished Appalachian and Gaelic music, reminiscent of the music of both her Scottish and Kentucky heritage.

Allison was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the ward chorister for 12 years, taking great pleasure and care in selecting the hymns for each week’s services. Her true calling was ministering to people within and outside the church.

It was the greatest sorrow of her life that she was unable to bear children, but Allison channeled her loving spirit into caring for her family and many, many friends and acquaintances. In fact, Allison never met a stranger. A chance encounter often resulted in a life-long friendship. She was generous with her time and resources to a fault. She made us all a little better.

She was an avid genealogist, enjoying the challenge of tracing her roots and learning about her ancestors and the cultures they came from, especially Scotland and Denmark.

Allison was an amateur radio enthusiast with the call sign KK4VLR. She was a member of the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society. Through her church, she was the Lilburn Stake Communications Leader for emergency preparedness using her Ham radio for the last six years.

Allison is survived by her loving husband, Warren Barry Sullivan, mother, Mary Ann Larsen, sisters, Nora (Dave) Chisnell, Mona (Ken) Rentz, and Holly (Santiago) Angel, and brothers, Eric Ball, Blair (Misty) Ball, and Lance (Mandy) Ball,  brother-in-law, Charles Sullivan, and sisters-in-law, Penny (Steve) Clark and Jill (Mark) Bolton, as well as 22 nieces and nephews and 17 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Her father, Lavell Larsen, mother, Isabell Ball, and sister-in-law, Darlene Sullivan, predecease her.

Friends and family are invited to visit on Tuesday, May 26 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home in Snellville, GA and on Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS chapel in Lilburn, GA preceding the funeral service, which begins at 11:00 a.m.

Internment will be at Lawnwood Memorial Park in Covington, GA on May 27 at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Humanitarian fund or the Emory Winship Cancer Institute. If you insist on sending flowers, please make them yellow roses, which Grandma Larsen grew prolifically in front of her white farmhouse, and all her grandchildren remember fondly.

Wendy Goldrich

Wendy Etta Woods Goldrich, 56, passed away at her home in Hurricane, Utah, surrounded by loved ones, on August 18, 2025, after a valiant battle with cancer.

“Who’s tripping down the streets of the city, smiling at everybody she sees? Who’s reaching out to capture a moment? Who’s bending down to hand me a rainbow?  Everyone knows its Windy.”

Our Wendy fits those verses from the song that was popular when she was born.  She had a kind spirit, didn’t like confrontation, and tried never to hurt anybody’s feelings.  She would see the good in people, believed in second chances, and had a forgiving heart.  She couldn’t understand how people could be mean to each other or make money more important than honesty and integrity.

Wendy was born in Escondido, California on July 2, 1969 to Howard Wesley Woods and Gretchen Louise Halbig Woods.  When Wendy was 7 year old, the family, which now included her younger brother, Joshua, moved from California to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming.  Wendy grew up riding horses, feeding cattle, raising sheep, changing sprinkler lines, catching bull heads with a fork in Willow Creek, harnessing calves to a wagon for an exciting ride, snowmobiling or tubing in the winter.  Wendy also helped with the harvesting of the hay crop, learning to drive while her parents and Joshua loaded hay on a flat bed truck.  She helped fix fence, helped in the garden and learned how to can fruit and make jam.  Wendy’s love of reading came from listening to her mom read to the family around the fireplace in the evenings.

One summer, Wendy and her mother collected plants off of their mountain and learned what they were good for medicinally.  She used the information she gained for her school science project the next year and won the blue ribbon for best entry.

After moving to Wyoming, she and her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In Young Women’s Wendy learned about being a good babysitter.  She loved children and they loved her. This love of children continued with her and she went to college to become a school teacher. However, she didn’t like the limitations the schools put on teachers.  She became a nanny for a while and then opened her own childcare/preschool.  She was very successful and made a good living and name for herself, both in California and later in Hurricane.

Wendy met her husband, Joey Alan Goldrich, while she was in college.  They became the parents of three wonderful children, Sarah, Wesley, and Jacob.

Wendy lived through some hard times.  Her husband had a stoke and lost some of his eye sight, became disabled, and wasn’t able to work anymore.  She also lost her 6 year old, Jacob, to a brain tumor.

Wendy moved to Hurricane in 2018, next to her parents and had enough land to raise chickens, cats, ducks, goats for milking, bunnies, a cow, a tortoise, a horse, and some dogs.  She raised Golden Doodles for a while, which she trained and sold to many famous people.  She was well known for her dogs.

Sarah married Austin Lalanne after returning from her mission and they moved next to Wendy in a tiny house that was built by Wendy and her father.  Sarah and Austin have blessed Wendy’s life with 4 beautiful grandchildren.  Wendy loved being Nana and helping Sarah with the little ones.  They were her greatest treasure.

Wendy was a happy, vibrant, intelligent, and humble woman.  She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She had a love for life and people.  She lived an amazing life in just 56 short years.

Wendy is survived by her husband, Joey Goldrich; her parents, Howard and Gretchen Woods; her children Sarah (Austin) Lalanne, Wesley Goldrich; her brothers Joshua (Genevie)Woods, James (Halie)Woods, sisters Katie Woods, Stephanie (Tyson) Watkins, Kelly (Sunny) Richardson; and her grandchildren, Braxton, Porter, Rose, and Ivy.

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents and her son, Jacob.

Funeral services for Wendy were held in Hurricane, Utah on August 23, 2025.  Graveside services were held in Grover, Wyoming on August 26, 2025.

Blair Lancaster

Delmar “Blair” Lancaster

June 13, 1960 – May 22, 2026

St. George, Utah — Blair Lancaster, 65, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, in St. George, Utah. The second youngest of eight children, Blair was born on June 13, 1960, in Afton, Wyoming, to Delmar Clyde and Sybil Lancaster. From his earliest days, he grew up with a deep love for family, animals, and the outdoors.

Raised in Smoot, Wyoming, Blair graduated from Star Valley High School before pursuing his education at Utah State University. On November 27, 1986, he married the love of his life, Carol Lancaster, in Afton, WY. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with devotion, laughter, and family, living in Star Valley and Salt Lake City before eventually settling in St. George.

Professionally, Blair excelled as a Regional Team Sales Director. It was a career perfectly suited for him, as his love of sports, strong work ethic, and natural ability to connect with people allowed him to build long-lasting friendships. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he truly connected with the gospel’s focus on family dedication.

Blair lived life to the fullest and possessed a wide range of passions. Sports were a constant thread throughout his entire life—spanning basketball, football, downhill and water skiing, snowmobiling hill-climbs, and more recently, pickleball. His work-ethic and drive to win enabled him to excel at the sports he played, he loved coaching and investing his time in his children’s athletics, was an avid sports spectator, and was incredibly fortunate to have a career centered around the sports world.

At home, Blair loved caring for and perfecting their landscaping, finding deep satisfaction in a long day of hard work. He cherished e-bike and golf cart rides, dinners surrounded by friends and family, watching movies or a game, and simply enjoying nature’s beauty. Blair’s strong work ethic and eye for detail left everything he touched more beautiful than he found it.

Above all else, Blair was a man fiercely dedicated to his people. His greatest joy was taking care of his wife and family, spending time with his friends, and caring for his beloved dogs.

He deeply cared about people; a favorite family example of his character was how he would quietly help a senior with their groceries, give them a warm pat on the shoulder, and walk away.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Lancaster of St. George; his sons, Josh Lancaster (Esther) and Jase Lancaster, all currently of Salt Lake City; his siblings, Jerry, EvaLee, Dennis, and DeNece; and his best friend and loyal dog, Jack.

Blair was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Sybil; his brothers, Clyde, Rex, and Blake; and his nephews, Derek, TJ, Matt, and Michael.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Blair’s sisters, EvaLee and DeNece, and family friends Kimball and Brian, as well as the many, many family members and friends who showed up repeatedly to support Blair and the family. They also extend a special thanks to the dedicated nurses, doctors, and medical staff at St. George Regional Hospital for their compassionate care.

Services

Visitation & Services: A visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM, with the funeral service to follow immediately at the Redcliffs Stake Center, located at 1250 N. Bluff St., St. George, UT.

Interment: Graveside services and interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT.

Family and friends are invited to share condolences online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, St. George, (435) 986-9100.