Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Sally Ruth Craghead Atwood, 87, passed away on September 10, 2021.
Sally was born on March 28, 1934 to Johanna Vernice Timothy Ward and Lorenzo Holyer Nelson in Cleveland, Utah. Lorenzo passed away when Sally was just four years old. Vernice later married Edgar Duane Ward and he raised Sally.
Sally married her high school sweetheart, Ferrel Dean Atwood, on January 20, 1951. Together they traveled across many states including Washington, California and back to Utah pursuing work opportunities. Along the way, they were blessed with five beautiful children who made their life complete. They enjoyed many things together over the years including camping, hunting, Friday night card games and Saturday night dancing. They were known to continue the party after dancing by bringing all their friends over to make breakfast in the early hours of the morning which their children enjoyed as well. Sally and Ferrel later divorced.
Sally spent her life helping to support her family in a variety of jobs. Her most favorite job was in Moses Lake, Washington at the Spudnut Shop. She started working at Fakler Tire in the late 1960s where she worked for 36 years. She did everything from selling tires to credit management. During this time at Fakler Tire, she met Jack Alma Craghead. They were married on March 24, 1984. This is where her true love for the BYU Cougars evolved.
Sally had a great love for sports. She enjoyed football, basketball and bowling. Sally was an avid bowler. She was on a Wednesday night bowling league where she served as secretary for over 30 years. She was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in 2002. She made many very dear friends over the years through this association. She passed on this love to her two daughters, Kathi and Gayle, and granddaughter, Cortny. Together they traveled to different tournaments making wonderful memories.
Sally and Ferrel reconnected in 2003. They spent over 17 more years together after both of their spouses had passed. They enjoyed many family activities together including holidays, camping, 4-wheeling and family get-togethers.
Sally’s biggest love was her family. She loved spending time with anyone who was related to her. She had a knack for meeting a stranger and finding out soon that they were distant relatives. She was also known as the hugger in the family. It didn’t matter if you were family or someone she just met, she made you give her a hug.
Sally is survived by four of her children, Kathi Atwood, LuRena Gayle (Craig) Mecham, Rusty (Susan) Atwood and David (Polly) Atwood; five stepchildren, Gary (Sheila) Craghead, Robert (Martha) Craghead, James (Dale) Craghead, Jackie (Jim) McKinney and Cori (Jesse) Smith; sister, Jonnie (Craig) Johansen; brothers, Sherrel (DeeAnn) Ward and Scott (Cindy) Ward; sisters-in-law, Dorene Horrocks and Nancy Atwood; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ferrel Atwood and Jack Craghead; parents, Lorenzo Nelson, Duane and Vernice Ward; sister, Doris Atwood; son, Mike Atwood; stepson, Richard Craghead; stepdaughter, Sandra McMeekin; grandsons, Darren Milano and Nathan McMeekin; sister-in-law, Lynda Atwood; brothers-in-law, James Atwood, Garold Horrocks, Delroy and Ronald Atwood.
Funeral Service, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 12:00 noon, Huntington Stake Center (240 N. Main Street) in Huntington where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Interment, Cleveland Town Cemetery. A special thanks to First Choice Home Health and Hospice for the care and kindness they showed Sally. Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are welcome daily and may share memories online by going to www.mitchellfuneralhome.com.