Anna LaRue Smith Turner

We feel great joy to know that our dear mother has returned to her Heavenly Father, and many loved ones, after a life full of love, work, study, testimony, opposition, service, and joy. Anna LaRue Smith Turner passed away at the age of 91, in Bountiful Utah, on February 26, 2024, after decades of gracefully abiding the effects of health issues. Her passing was in the wee hours of the morning, just hours after having been surrounded by many of her posterity. Anna has left a legacy and example that beacons brightly in the hearts of her beloved friends and family. She will be missed greatly.

In her usual mode of preparedness, Anna has left for us the following Life Sketch…

Anna was born Jan. 28, 1933, in Cedar City, Utah, the 5th child of Stanley Abner Smith and Grace Ashton (Walker?) Jones. Her only sister was born ten years later. She grew up in Enoch and was very involved in farm life at a young age. Upon graduating from Cedar City High School, She attended The Branch Agricultural College (now named Southern Utah State University) where she participated in a variety of activities, learned to love poetry, and served as a Student Body officer. Here she met her husband-to-be, Gerry H Turner. After receiving a 2-year degree she attended BYU for 4 Quarters. She and Gerry then married and finished their BS degrees at the University of Utah. Their five children were born the following six years while Gerry continued his education. He received his PhD in 1969. The following month he was diagnosed as having Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This made it necessary for her to work. She took a job with an agency of The Beneficial Life Company and was employed there for 25 years with these good people. 

While in Junior High she realized that if she were to have new clothes she would need to sew them herself, which she did. This new skill led to making her own (and 2 daughters’) wedding dresses, her own and her daughters’ clothing. It was a useful skill also when she was called as a missionary by her Stake to repair clothes for the lady missionaries on Temple Square.

Music was an important part of her life.  Early in her life she began leading music. Through the years she took classes to hone this skill. During the following 60+ years she enjoyed leading congregations and choirs to feel the love of the Gospel through music. This continued through various callings, teaching and leadership opportunities. 

Her grandchildren will remember her for her manicured backyard, her yearly garden, especially the green pole beans, the apples, and her love of flowers. They will also remember that she loved the gospel, the Plan of Salvation, reading, good poetry and themselves. On their birthday each received a card, a few dollars, a short message, and an especially chosen poem for their collection.

In later years, reading became her choice of entertainment and learning. She read many dozens of and genre of books: Scriptures, Gospel studies, history, early life.  She always tried to choose that reading that taught her something.

Anna was preceded in death by her husband Gerry, her parents Stanley and Grace, and four brothers, Ashton, Gordon, Drex and Udell (Khay) and granddaughter, Angela. 

She is succeeded by her Sister, Grace Marie (Ron) Dennis.  five children; Janet Brown, David (Margo) Turner, Annette (Jim) Welch, Alaine (Garen) Palmer, Jeanne (Cary) Wasden, 25 grandchildren (one deceased), 38 great grandchildren.

Anna has felt a spiritual influence throughout her life as well as the love of friends and family; for both she has felt very grateful. Her greatest wish is to share her love for her Heavenly Father, and his son, the Savior Jesus Christ.

Funeral Service:  Saturday 9 March 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at the Bountiful 36th Ward building (102 East 1400 South, Bountiful Utah).  Viewings: Friday 8 March 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary (295 N Main St., Bountiful, Utah); and Saturday morning 9 March 2024 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.  Interment: Bountiful City Cemetery (2224 S. 200 W., Bountiful Utah).

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page.   The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.