Joycelyn Heaps Wood

Joycelyn Wood was born in Smithfield, Utah on November 20, 1933, to Orrie Argraves Heaps and Fern Rogers Norris Heaps. She passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026, surrounded by family at Autumn Care in Hyde Park, Utah. Joycelyn had three sisters, Devonna, Helen and Jean, and two brothers, Lloyd and David.

Mom grew up in Smithfield, Utah where she learned the value of hard work. She had chores at home which included cleaning house. She said she didn’t mind cleaning it except for the bathroom but did it when it was her turn. She liked to run the vacuum and clean the front room. She also worked on the farm and would go to the field below Crow Mt. to get hay. She would tromp the hay then the men would throw it on the wagon. She also rode the derrick horse which pulled the fork with the hay into the barn where the men would spread the hay around and tromp it into place.

While in Jr. High Mom was a Songleader in eight grade and a Cheerleader in ninth grade. She started working at Smithfield Drug Store at the soda fountain, serving ice cream, drinks and sandwiches. In her senior year at North Cache High School, she was voted as class secretary and was an attendant to the Queen at the Sweetheart dance. She also played softball for her church team and participated in Gold and Green Ball dances and other activities at the church house for the families in the area. It was at one of these dances that she met Robert. They began dating and after Dad served in the Korean War, he returned home and married his sweetheart on July 28,1951. They moved to Lewiston, Utah where they raised their family, Steven Robert, Richard Jay, Susan, Jolyn, Patty and Curtis Gilbert.

Mom not only raised her family but worked for Lewiston Elementary as a reading para-educator for many years. You could also see her at Halls Oil company working at the cash register and helping the farmers get the supplies they needed. She also worked at Maverik Convenience Store and gas station and White Pine Elementary as a sweeper. Mom and Dad worked together for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the maintenance crew for several years. After retiring she worked at the Lewiston Theater selling tickets and working at the candy counter.

Mom had a strong testimony of the gospel and serving others. She knew her Heavenly Father loved her and hears and answers prayers. She lived a life of service, not only to her family, but to her church and community. She had many church callings, serving in the Primary, the Young Women’s as a softball and volleyball coach and the girls camp leader. Mom served as Relief Society President two different times where she enjoyed serving the women in her ward. She also served with Dad in the Logan Temple for eight years. She didn’t preach to you about right and wrong but taught by example. She loved music and played the piano until her eyesight began to fade.

Some of her hobbies were quilting and playing the piano. She enjoyed being outside and working in her yard. You could see her outside working in her flower beds during spring, summer and fall. She loved her family and taking care of them. She enjoyed cooking for them. She would make sure there was food prepared so when you showed up it was ready to put on the table. She loved her grandchildren and the great grandchildren. When they were there you could find her at the kitchen table playing games or coloring with them. Mom was a very special person and has taken care of family and friends for many years.

Family was important to her and is survived by her children Richard Jay Wood (Sharron), Susan King (Jim), Jolyn Wood, Patty Peterson (Gary) and Curtis Gilbert (Danae), eighteen grandchildren, fifty-three great-grandchildren, and fourteen great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, a brother and many nieces and nephews.

She is now united with her husband Robert Wood, a son Steven Robert, parents Orrie and Fern Heaps, in-laws Harold and Elna Wood, a sister DeVonna Tolman, a brother Lloyd Heaps, and many other relatives.

The family would like to thank the Intermountain Hospice Care Team for the tender and loving care they gave to our Mom. We’d also like to thank the staff at Autumn Care for the loving care they gave her. Thank you so much.

A viewing will be held on Monday September 21, 2026, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lewiston 3rd/4th Ward building.

The funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lewiston 3rd/4th Ward building. 16 South Main Street, Lewiston, Utah

Interment will be at the Lewiston Cemetery following the services in Lewiston, Utah .