Ruth Elma Draney Lichfield

Ruth Elma Draney Lichfield died Tuesday, June 28, 2011, in Brigham City, Utah. Ruth was born to Samuel Ebenezer and Elma Undrea Welker Draney, May 6, 1925, In Tygee, Idaho. Her father farmed in Tygee and ran a salt works on Draney Creek. He was a widower with seven children when he married Ruth's mother, and together they had sixteen children, so Ruth grew up as one of 23 children. At school, Ruth's nickname was "Red," because those were her initials. She fell in love with a young man from nearby Star Valley Wyoming. Robert Till Lichfield, who was in a school play with her brother Wendell. Robert wrote of her: "Ruth was a very quiet cute little brunette who after 3 years of courting and putting forth my best manners finally said yes to my many hints and final proposal." They were married April 8, 1942, in the Salt Lake Temple.
They lived in Afton, WY; Tremonton, UT; Norwalk, CA; and Brigham City, UT, which they made their permanent home.
Ruth was blessed with six children, all of whom survive her: Dianne Clint, David Karen; Ruth Elma Dale; Robert Jill; Rick; and Deena Kelly. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2004. She is survived by brothers Evern and Dale Draney and sister Vada Smith.
Both Robert and Ruth were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of their married lives. Ruth was a Primary President, Sunday School teacher, Junior Sunday School Coordinator, Relief Society President, and counselor in the stake and ward Relief Society.
Ruth was blessed with a spirit of appreciation and took joy in the simple gifts of God. Most of all Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother-very attentive and always willing to give one-on-one attention.
The family would like to thank the kindness of the caregivers at Pioneer Care Center, and Biston Hospice.
Funeral Services were held Tuesday, July 5, at 10 a.m. at the LDS Chapel in Deweyville, Utah following a viewing at 9 a.m. Interment was in the Bedford, Wyoming Cemetery at 5 p.m. in the cemetery.