Friday, May 23, 2014

Goodbye Grandma Black - 'Til We Meet Again

Anna Deal Black

Kanab, Utah

Anna Deal Robinson Black was born in Kanab, Utah, on March 19, 1915, to Hyrum C. and Macy Brown Robinson. She passed away on Monday, May 19, 2014 in Kanab at the age of 99, after living almost all her life in Kanab surrounded by her favorite red hills of home. As a young child, she spent her summers at the family Tinny Ranch, which was located under the beautiful pink ledges of Powell Point. The family returned to Kanab in the fall after the potatoes were harvested. She loved to talk about the many fond memories of these carefree summer days.

On July 26, 1933, Vernon Alvin Black and Anna Deal were married in the Manti Temple. This union was blessed with 5 children: Gayle (Dave deceased) Stewart, Austin, Utah; Velden "A" (Ida Lue) Black, Fredonia; Carolyn (Val) Banks, Kanab; Beverlee (Ray) Thorson, Wellsville, Utah; and Kerry L. (Nancy) Black, Antelope Valley, Nevada. She loved her posterity of 21 grandchildren, 74 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son-in-law, and siblings: Macy Robinson, infant; Dora Robinson, infant; Hyrum C. Robinson, infant; Stewart C. Robinson; Helen Griffiths; Margery Busch; Lucinda Wheatley; and 2 great great granddaughters. She is survived by her youngest sister, Norine Hoyt.

Anna Deal was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in all the organizations of the Church, and especially enjoyed serving with the youth. She touched the lives of everyone around her, by her example, service, sweet spirit of caring, her testimony, and the love of the Lord that she shared with family and friends.

She was an avid genealogist and has been able to trace the family back many generations. She loved finding the stories of her ancestors. Both Anna Deal and Vernon had a "Utah Pioneer" in every family line and more than one in most of them. She was highly skilled at seeking out her ancestors.

She raised her family during the depression so there was always something to do to sustain them. Her storeroom was filled with canned and dried vegetables and fruits.

Anna Deal had many talents. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sewing for her family, keeping them well dressed. Sewing for many others supplemented the family income. Her daughters learned to sew under her watchful eye. She was crocheting afghans, booties, hats, etc. for her family and others up to the day of her death. Her hands were always busy. She learned to paint in all mediums (oil, acrylics, and water colors) in her early 60s and her family has many of her beautiful paintings displayed in their homes. 

After her children were raised, Anna Deal and Vernon served two missions. She and her husband also served several years in the St. George Temple as ordinance workers. 

Vernon and Anna Deal were instrumental in starting the Senior Citizen Center in Kanab and Vernon remodeled the old city cistern for a place to meet. She thrived on service to others throughout her life. Her family and service were the things that brought her the greatest joy. She taught this to her posterity.

Funeral services celebrating Mom's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2014, at the Kanab Utah Stake Center, with a viewing from 12 noon until 12:45 p.m. Interment will be at the Kanab City Cemetery after the services. Services are being arranged by Mosdell Mortuary. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thespectrum/obituary.aspx?pid=171082215#sthash.T13UAH1u.dpuf

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