Zola Mitchell

Obituary for Zola Naomi Dickey Jackman Taylor Mitchell

April 13th, 1936 – August 4th, 2022

Zola “Granny” Mitchell passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 4th, 2022 in Beehive Assisted Living in Santaquin, Utah. Zola was born the 11th of 13 children to Allen B. and Ethel Frances Nelson Dickey on April 13th, 1936, in their family home which is the oldest log home, still standing. She is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Santaquin 17th Branch. At the age of 10, she had Rheumatic Fever. She collected many dolls at that time. She helped pick fruit, work the family farm and help her folks with the coal business. While in high school, she worked for Geneva Elementary School. She met Gene Jackman. They graduated together from Lincoln High School, Class of 1954 in Orem.

They married on August 20th, 1954 in Orem. They had Norene, Tina, and Bret. As a family, they hunted, fished, boated, and rode motorcycles. She became an apartment manager. She was on the water ski team at Utah Lake. They were later divorced.

She married Jerry Taylor on November 14th, 1963 in Idaho. Along with her kids, they had Gerald, Rodger, Cindy and Lonny. They owned and managed IGA Foodliner in American Fork, IGA in Provo, and Storehouse Markets in Orem. The family had many fond memories with the white elephant camper. They were later divorced.

She married Dan Mitchell November 1st, 1980 in Orem. Along with her own kids, she helped Dan raise his kids Becky, Dana and Danny. They loved yard sales, Deseret Industries, and hangin’ out with the family. They were later divorced.

She loved to cheer people up, have special gifts and cards for them, and make them laugh. She loved to support her family, to sew, being an original clothing designer, crochet, quilt, make ‘Hot Macaroni Cold’ and Ambrosia, can and preserve fruit, and make her Christmas chocolate candy. She loved her apricot tree and her dark concord grapes. She was frugal and generous, participating in many humanitarian efforts, putting others before herself.

She was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple patron, genealogist, Relief Society President, Primary Teacher, Scout Leader, a member of The International Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, neighbor, and friend. She was a great listener, a humble servant leader, and a faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ.

She read Dr. Seuss and told Hans Christian Anderson stories to her children as her mother did. She is one of the most animated storytellers.

The family cherished many memories of camping and four wheeling at the Duchesne ranch.

She worked for Barbizon and other sewing factories. She worked for a medical supply company, Word Perfect, Corelle, and Novell.

Zola is survived by her brother Aaron (Marion Carlton) Dickey, and sisters Mary Lou (Lee) Musselman, and Marjorie (Rex) Butler;

Her children are Norene Jackman (Chris) Jensen, Tina Jackman, Bret (Tiffany Ellison) Jackman, Gerald and Tiffanee (Best) Taylor, Rodger and Cheryl (Brimhall) Taylor, Lucinda (Cindy) and Michael Peterson, Lonny and Toni (Smith) Taylor and Lonny’s companion Destiny Vigil.

She raised Cindy’s three kids after her death; Justin Taylor, David Cauley, and La Shay Crandell.

She is ‘Granny’ to many grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great grandkids.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings and spouses Woodrow and Naomi (Park) Dickey, Leonard Ralph and Beryl (Grant) Dickey, Leland and Mary June (Allphin) Dickey, Aleen Virginia and Wyman Taylor, Cecil and Betty (Mascher) Dickey, Vernon Benjamin Dickey, Arnold F. Dickey and Katharina (Picerkona) Dickey, Genevieve and Raymond Jacklin, Allen Thayne (Mick) and Carolyn Dickey, and brother-in-law Rex (Marjorie) Butler;

Her daughter Cindy (Michael) Peterson and her son, Lonny (Toni Smith) Taylor and Destiny Vigil, and her grandson Dave Whiting.

Special Thanks to the Staff and Friends at Beehive Assisted Living of Santaquin, Yarrow Hospice, Pointe Meadows of Lehi and Parkway of Payson Skilled Nursing.

Zola’s funeral is under the direction of Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary of Orem.

Her funeral and life celebration are Saturday, August 13th, 2022, 11:00 am at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah. The viewing and gathering are Friday, August 12th, 2022 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the mortuary, with a viewing prior to services, 9:30 am – 10:30 am. Interment is at Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem.

For those unable to attend the services they can be viewed by clicking HERE

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

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