Anna Lou Dewsnup Stanworth passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, in Nephi, Utah, at the age of 86. Born October 29, 1933, in Deseret, Utah, to Joseph Harmon and Hulda Hales Dewsnup, Anna Lou was the second of two daughters. Anna Lou attended grade school at the A.C. Nelson in Oasis, Utah. It was here that she first became acquainted with so many of her loving, life-long friends. She then attended high school in Hinckley, Utah. While in high school, she excelled in academics, loved sports and also became a cheerleader for the Hinckley Mustangs and proudly wore the school’s maroon and white colors. At the age of 15, Anna Lou’s mother succumbed to cancer and since her older sister had married and left the home, Anna Lou became entirely responsible for the cooking and all household duties for herself and her father. She was also very involved in the family farm and livestock. While a teenager, Anna Lou became rodeo queen for the Days of the Old West Rodeo which was held in Deseret, Utah. She loved to ride and was a beautiful equestrian. In fact, it was while riding her horse one day that brought her to the attention and chance meeting of her future husband. He refers to this as “the best thing that ever happened” to him.
After high school, Anna Lou attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, for two years and studied physical education and zoology. On July 15, 1953, in her Deseret, Utah, family home, she married Lyle Welton Stanworth. They soon became an industrious and hardworking team and have been married for 66 years. During their first years of marriage, Anna Lou worked at Service Cleaners in Delta, Utah, for Eldon and Donna Sorenson.
A few years into their marriage, Lyle was offered a position with the US Fish and Game as a Government Trapper and they moved to Pioche, Nevada. Anna Lou has often said her initial view of Pioche was through tears and that she cried even harder when they decided to leave and return to Deseret to help her father on the farm. They made so many dear friends while they were in Pioche and have remained close, even now with the next generation of these friends.
Anna Lou was employed by First Security Bank in Delta, Utah, and began as a proof machine operator and when she retired later, after more than 20+ years, she was the Branch Manager. Anna Lou loved her customers and co-workers. In fact after she and many of her co-workers retired, they became the self-named “Bank Bags” and have met for lunch each month to catch up with one another.
Anna Lou was a wonderful cook and fastidious housekeeper. She always had a home-cooked meal in the works or on the table. She also was interested in gardening, crocheting, sewing, reading, quilting and keeping up with her family. Her hands were never idle and nothing was ever out of place. After Delta opened a bowling alley, Anna Lou could be seen there at least once or twice a week bowling in leagues. She attended many national tournaments with her friends and was sad when she had to give the sport up. However, this freed up time that she put to good use keeping up with the Utah Jazz basketball and the Atlanta Braves baseball teams. Anna Lou has been a faithful member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Fannie Powell Camp, and was instrumental in refurbishing the current meeting building in Deseret, Utah. She has also been very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has held positions in the Primary and Relief Society. Anna Lou was also a member of the Hinckley Rook Club for several years and enjoyed her association with these women. Above all, Anna Lou was a very loving, kind and sweet woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She loved everyone and was concerned for their well-being. She spent an entire lifetime worrying about others happiness.
Her surviving husband: Lyle Welton Stanworth of Deseret; children: Cindy Lou (Spence) Butler, of Leamington, and Lyle Scott (Linda) Stanworth, of Deseret; nine grandchildren (including spouses) and six great-grandchildren will deeply miss seeing her beautiful smile but will continue to feel the warmth of her unconditional love. Anna Lou was preceded in death by her parents, sister: Mavis Dewsnup Hardy, and great-granddaughter: Oakley Paige Chivers.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 21, at 11:00 am, at the Deseret-Oasis Ward LDS Chapel, 3423 West 4500 South. A Viewing will be held on Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Burial will be in the Deseret Cemetery.