Demetria Irene Turley

Our beautiful mother, grandmother, and sister, Demetria Irene Meredith Turley, 81, of South Ogden, Utah passed into eternity on April 28, 2026, at McKay-Dee Hospital. Demetria was born on June 17, 1944, to Homer and Geraldine (Smith) Meredith in Hoges Chapel, Virginia.

Her life was a beautiful reflection of her unwavering, selfless devotion to her family. As a mother to her daughter, Alisha Demetria, and her son, Detrick Meredith, she was their most dedicated supporter. A woman of infinite generosity, she was a constant presence, never missing a practice, recital, or game. She was absolutely delighted to have another daughter join the family when Detrick married his partner in all things, Chelsie. Demetria was so proud to be her mother-in-law and truly adored her.

As a grandmother whose heart was entirely captured by her six grandchildren, they were her greatest treasure. After five grandsons, Gage, Cash, Brighton, Keegan, and Knox; she had fully embraced her role as a “boy grandma” and was certain her legacy would be one of grandsons. She was overjoyed when she was finally blessed with her lovely granddaughter, Violette Irene, who was named in her honor. She spent her life doing everything in her power to ensure each of her children and grandchildren felt uniquely seen and loved. While she was truly humble, she was in constant awe of the determination and strength she saw in them. She often wondered aloud where they got such remarkable attributes, never realizing that their brilliance, faith, and success were the natural harvest of the life she had planted for them. Demetria took great pride in knowing that her own name would live on through the generations, as each of her three names were carried forward in the full names of her children and her granddaughter.

Her nurturing spirit extended naturally beyond her own front door. Desiring to be a stay-at-home mother for her children as they grew, she combined her love for family with her gift for caretaking by opening an in-home childcare business. She operated her daycare until 2019, acting as a “mother to many” and finding herself fueled by the energy of the children she cared for. Demetria refused to let age define her; she possessed a vibrant, youthful spirit and a lifelong fascination with fashion, always dressing to impress with her own signature style.

Her life was deeply rooted in her faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings and carried a beautiful, strong testimony of God’s love in everything she did.

She found great joy in the simple things, like the beauty of her home, where she enjoyed being out in her backyard trimming the trees and flowers while listening to the birds and feeling the wind and reading her magazines. These quiet moments were often brightened by hour-long phone calls with her sisters, Coretta and Talmadge, and her daughter, Alisha, who didn’t live close by but with whom she could talk with for hours. Throughout her life, Demetria was passionate about her wellness and vitality; she loved taking long walks to the nearby park and maintained a youthful radiance that never faded. She also shared a deep, lifelong love of music with her children—whether they were jamming in the car or listening at home, she raised them on the sounds of the 'oldies but goodies' and the best of pop and country.

Even in her final year, as she faced the pain of osteoarthritis, her primary concern remained the comfort of her children. She was fearless and protective, putting her family first so they wouldn't have to worry about her. To know her was to know her contagious laugh, her constant, radiant smile, and the warmth of the very best hugs. While our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing that heaven is lucky and has gained a beautiful angel. We are profoundly grateful for the knowledge that we will see her again, and until that day, her spirit will live on in our hearts.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Alisha Ward and Detrick (Chelsie) Ward; her brother, Beverly (Linda) Meredith; and her sisters, Anna Sue Thomas, Talmadge (Bob) Packard, and Coretta Babcock; as well as her six beloved grandchildren; Gage, Cash, Brighton, Keegan, Knox and Violette.

Demetria was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Geraldine; her former husbands, Dennis Milton Ward and James Gifford Turley; her son-in-law Justin Napper; and her siblings, Dorothy Akers, Olin Meredith, Teddy Meredith, Edna Waters, Sylvia Meredith, David Meredith, and Homer Meredith.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd. A private viewing will be held for the family