Ruby Joan Parkhurst

Ruby Joan Parkhurst passed away peacefully on November 11, 2022 in Smithfield, Utah.  She was born at home in the small town of Oakley, Wyoming in which her father was a coal miner.  This town no longer exists.  “Joan” as she was known by most, was loving and gracious lady.  She appreciated a life well lived.  One of the sayings she kept in her home was :Life was meant to be enjoyed ~ Not just endured”.  And she truly followed that motto her entire life.  Joan had many friends and acquaintances throughout her life.

She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She enjoyed the teachings of Christ and all her relationships that she developed with other members in her community.

While in her youth the family moved to Kenilworth, Utah and it was here that Joan attended Carbon High School in Price, Utah.  Graduating at the top of her class.  She developed many business skills and had lots of awards and accomplishments from these skills.  It seemed to just come natural for her.

After her graduation, Joan attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City and it was there she met her future husband, Lynn Vincent Toone.  This relationship went on to bear her three children, Todd, Steven, and Carie.  Her husband enlisted in the Navy, and this sent Joan to many great and exciting places to live.  Some of those being: Corpus Christi, TX, Norman, OK, Millington, TN and a family favorite San Diego, CA.  in which we had so many fun family memories  with many friends and family.

Later on Joan divorced and went on to marry Russell Parkhurst.  They met at a dance and Joan enjoyed many great years with Russell and they were able to travel to many great places together later in life.  They had many great memories with both her stepchildren as well as her own children.  Joan loved and cared for them all, with all her heart.

Joan was an expert seamstress, and she took great pride in her sewing skills. She produced many great sewing projects and pieces but the best memory all of us kids have is of the time she decided to sew flannel dogs for the Cache County Fair. Mom took this project on like a champion and with her great enthusiasm and talents she took off to produce one of the best-selling items at the fair that year. Those dogs were adorable and loved by all! It was truly an unforgettable and fun family memory for us all.

Joan was an avid hunter and enjoyed camping and fishing. We have many great family memories of those trips in which we participated in often and most times with her parents included who also loved the outdoors. We had our favorite little river bend up Blacksmith Fork Canyon.

Joan was very close to both of her siblings, Jack and Betty. They sharing a deep and rich bond and as well as her parents Clarence and Alma. She looked forward to the day that she could reunite and be with her parents once again. Joan was best known for First, being the best mother anyone could hope for (in which she was) and Second a great friend and confidante. Joan cherished her close relationships she had with her friends and family. She was always most happiest when those friends and family would drop by and pay her a visit.

Joan was preceded in death by her loving parents, Clarence Ernest Edwards and Alma Grace Edwards Jorgenson, late husband Russell Parkhurst, grandson William Arnold Toone and a grand daughter Brandi Lynn Toone. Her children are Todd Lynn Toone, Steven Scott Toone and Carie RaNae Toone (Koz Nathan Brog). Siblings are Betty Neil and Jack Ernest Edwards (Kriss). Grandchildren: Zachery Steven Toone, Adam Scott Liah Baron Tanner, Lisa Baron. Joshua Dean Toone, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews in which she loved and adored like her own children.

The family would like to offer a deep heartfelt thanks to the caring and hard-working staff at Birch Creek Assisted Living and an extra special thanks goes to Chris and Amber as well as their CNAs (aka-gods true angels). Christian, Hailey, Tasha, Caitlin, Meredith, Daisy and really all the other CNA’s not mentioned here too! Mom loved all her friendships that she made in both the staff and residents while she was there at Birch Creek Assisted Living~God Bless You All~ Love the family of Ruby Joan Parkhurt.

Graveside services will be held Thursday November 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Syracuse City Cemetery 1250 S. 1000 W. Syracuse Utah, 84075.

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