Lucy Jo Harwood Jones

Our beautiful, angel mother, Lucy Jo Harwood Jones, age 80, passed peacefully from this life on March 16, 2025 in Provo, UT, surrounded by her kids. She is free from the thief of dementia and joyously reunited with loved ones beyond the veil.

She was born on August 31, 1944 to Joseph and Erma Petersen Harwood, the middle sister between Mary and Estella whom she loved dearly. She grew up on a farm in Lake Shore, UT, and graduated from Spanish Fork High School where she participated in Model United Nations, Future Teachers of America, Russian Club, Pep Club, and yearbook committee. She was also an FFA Sweetheart attendant and was one of the first SFHS students to complete a 3 year language program.

Lucy Jo attended Brigham Young University, where she earned her Associate degree and met her eternal companion, Nelson Lunt Jones. They were sealed in the Manti Temple on June 26, 1964. They moved to Washington where Nelson graduated from dental school, and then to Italy, where he served in the U.S. Army for 3 years. Mom and Dad enjoyed participating in a bowling league together and made many good friends during those years. In 1971, they moved back to Nelson’s hometown of Nephi, Utah, where he carried on his father’s dental practice and they raised their 5 kids.

Our mom’s greatest joy was her family. She devoted her life to her divine roles of wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She supported us all in our various interests, hobbies, education, sporting events, musical recitals, dance reviews, theater productions, and Church events. We can’t remember a day she wasn’t there when we came home from school.

Mom put her English skills to good use and on occasion we affectionately referred to her as “the grammar police.” She was the proofreader, often late night typist and (and according to her sons sometimes had to invoke great editorial privilege) of school assignments. She was the attentive nurse when we were sick, and always put everyone else’s needs and wants ahead of her own. Her complete selflessness was especially evident as she cared for our Dad full-time through his physical challenges later in life. She was the embodiment of Christlike love, patience, service, and kindness.

Mom was a skilled seamstress and made a lot of our clothes and costumes when we were young, some of which have even made an appearance on the grandkids. She made the best rolls, “Grammycakes” and waffles, General Conference cheeseballs, and her Christmas Eve goodie plates were legendary. Only Dad knew how good her Christmas fruitcake was though since he was the lone person known to request it and eat it every year…

Our mom loved music and had a beautiful alto voice, sharing her talents from a young age in many musical groups and choirs. We remember her especially enjoying being part of the Nebo Singers Community Choir. She had an enduring testimony of the Savior and His Gospel and taught her family and others quietly by example. She enjoyed serving in the temple and in numerous Church callings where she was a light to many and formed some of her most meaningful friendships with those whom she served and served with.

As her children grew and started leaving home, Mom took on part-time jobs which brought her fulfillment and connection with others. First at Burger King, and then as an Elementary School teachers’ aide and reading specialist for 25 years where she loved all of “her kids.”

Some of Mom’s other favorite things in life were: listening to the Tabernacle Choir; flowers and tending to her flower beds and plants; reading; crocheting; solving word puzzles; playing games (but woe unto those who tried to cheat or play out of turn!); Lisa’s Dance Shoppe clogging class with friends in the 1980s; her Beanie Baby collection; writing cards (in her perfect penmanship), buying gifts and decorating for every holiday; walks in the West Fields with her friend Lorraine; and after she and Dad moved to St. George: visits from family and friends and watching Music and the Spoken Word, game shows, and sports (especially BYU) on TV.

Lucy Jo is survived by her children: Sheralyn (Les) Brown of Provo, UT; Curtis (Angi) Jones of Draper, UT; Elaine (Conley) Moon of Duchesne, UT; Preston (Jenya) Jones of Orem, UT; and daughter-in-law Jamie Jones of Monument, CO; 18 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren plus one on the way; Sisters: Mary Peterson of Orem, UT and Estella (Scott) Houston of Santa Barbara, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Nelson; son, Rodney H. Jones; brothers-in-law Dick Frederick, Angus Belliston, Verden Peterson; and sisters-in-law Jenny Belliston and Pat Jones.

The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Village for their loving care the past 3 years, and also Mike Anderson and Brace Carroll of Anderson Funeral Home for their compassionate service. We appreciate the many friends and neighbors who have loved and supported our family over the years and shared many fond memories of our mom. Private family graveside services and burial were held at the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi, UT. If you desire to honor Lucy’s legacy, please perform an act of kindness for someone.