Sarah Colleen Perkins Neeley, 90, passed away on December 15, 2021 in Price, Utah. She was born January 14, 1931 in Cedar City, Utah, the first of five children to Ralph Chatterley and Fern Annie Ruby Perkins.
Colleen grew up on her dad’s dairy farm in Cedar City, Utah, milking cows, hauling hay and driving the family’s milk delivery truck. She played the clarinet and was the drum majorette for the school’s marching band. Colleen was involved in many of her school’s activities and was asked to sing the junior prom theme song, “Over the Rainbow,” which instantly became her lifelong favorite. She worked as a “car hop” at Ray’s Cafe in Cedar City during her summer breaks, and graduated from Cedar High School Class of 1949.
Donald Erickson Neeley sailed into Colleen’s life while serving in the U.S. Navy and they were soon married. They were later sealed in the Manti Temple on September 20, 1955. Colleen served for 30 years as the front desk secretary at Mont Harmon Junior High School. She had a knack for communicating with young people so, in addition to her secretarial duties, she also served the student body as EMT, friend, temporary mother figure, advice giver, hand holder, and shoulder-to-cry-on specialist. She received the Employee of the Year award for outstanding service and dedication from Carbon School District. Colleen was a member of the New Century Club. This women’s organization did community service for many years and brought about the “Double-Trio” singing group in which Colleen was a member. The trio spent hours practicing and performing at programs, funerals and church functions. They traveled throughout the state and were invited to sing at the BYU Women’s Conference.
Colleen served as Carbon County’s representative for the American Cancer Society for eight years. She, along with her husband Don, was a member of the Price Lions Club for over 30 years. Colleen also received the “Exemplary Woman” award from the Lambda Delta Sigma Ki LDS Fraternity at CEU in 1979.
Colleen spent years of dedicated service for her church in many different callings. Much of her time was spent with the youth, as she had a “special bond” with young people and their spiritual needs.
During her stay here on earth, Colleen has checked the boxes on all of the following: faithful, reliable, selfless, kindly, warm, tender, competent and gracious. She will be missed, but never forgotten.
Colleen is survived by her children, Terri (Foster) Lott, Kaye Dawn (Douglas) Rasmussen; step-son, Bruce (Peggy) Neeley; grandchildren, Jennifer Lopez; Jayme (Megan) Lott, Jeremy (Aubrey) Lott, Tamra (Christian) Hill, Janae (Scott) Woffinden, Amber (Mike) Brinson, Kelly (Robbie) Merrill, Shana (Stuart) Wilson, Camie (Jeritt) Scott, Derek (Jasmine) Bawden, Jason (Amy) Rasmussen, Chad (Rylee) Rasmussen, Halee (Schyler) Namanny, Meesha Lee, Ryan (Keosha) Rasmussen, Shelly (Mike) Chestnut, Matt (Louise) Neeley, Jeremy (Amanda) Neeley, Scott Neeley; 61 great-grandchildren.
Colleen is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Fern Ruby Perkins; husband, Donald Erickson Neeley; daughter, Ginny Lee Neeley Bawden; grandson, Erick Bawden; brothers, Dale Perkins and Kenneth Perkins; sisters, Charlotte Murdock and LaRue Rosenburg.
Funeral service, Tuesday, December 21, 2021, 10:00 a.m., Price Eighth Ward Chapel (995 East 700 North Price, UT 84501). The family will receive friends Monday evening at the church from 6-8:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Colleen online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
Condolences and messages to the family may be left at Mitchell Funeral Home’s online guestbook: https://www.mitchellfuneralhome.net/obituary/colleen-neeley. A livestream of the event will also appear directly under Colleen’s obituary 20 minutes before the service on Tuesday.