Sonya Seely Redd

Sonya N. Seely Redd "Sunny" was born December 19, 1938, in Price, Carbon County, Utah, the oldest child of Lowry Singleton Seely and Gwen Geddes Nielson. Two younger brothers completed the family, David Ray and Lowry Geddes.

Sunny grew up on a cattle and sheep ranch south of Craig, Colorado. She graduated early from high school and attended BYU in Provo, Utah and in 1960 earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Education and Office Management and a Minor in Accounting and Economics. Sunny has always loved teaching and taught English at North Cache High School in Logan, Utah.

In 1977 Sunny started a Masters of Education Program, and in the summer of 1981 took 8 of her children to BYU to complete it. She put her advanced degree to work by serving on the San Juan County School Board for many years, some of those years as president. In addition, she served on the boards of the Utah Endowment for the Humanities and Earth Science Education.

Sunny met Charles Hardison Redd in 1959 at the Colorado Wool Growers Convention in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hardy had just returned from an LDS mission in Uruguay and attended with his parents. Sunny's mother had entered her in the Miss Wool of Colorado Contest and she was there as a finalist. A courtship ensued while both lived in Cache Valley working and attending school. On September 2, 1960 they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.

Hardy and Sunny settled in La Sal after Hardy completed his education at Utah State University in 1961 and lived in and served the community for the next 62 years until her death on August 18, 2022.

While at BYU Sunny took up alpine skiing and developed a passion for it. She taught skiing at Timp Haven (Sundance), Brighton Resort and certified as an instructor in1960. She started the first official ski school at Beaver Mountain and was director for one year and then taught at Blue Mountain Ski Area in Monticello, Utah for 14 years. She pursued her love of skiing into her seventies and instilled this passion in many of her children and grandchildren.

In 1964 Sunny began her love affair with Lake Powell, shortly after the Glen Canyon Dam was completed and the lake began filling. She made many trips, kids in tow, each summer to enjoy the beautiful red rocks, glassy water and sun-filled days. A dream came true in 1992 when she purchased a share in a 70' houseboat which she captained and filled with family, friends, adventure and fun. If it was summer and Sunny wasn't home, she could probably be found at Lake Powell.

She graciously welcomed into her heart and home many of those in need of love and refuge. With 7 children at home she embraced the opportunity to mother infant Navajo twins. After being fostered for 5 years, Beverly and Benjamin were officially adopted and sealed and became her own, demonstrating her immense capacity for love, generosity and sacrifice.

Sunny accepted many opportunities to serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She cherished her testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.

Sunny exemplified many qualities and characteristics that drew many to her. She was optimistic, cheerful, adventurous, forgiving, outgoing, frugal, generous, faithful, Christlike, resilient, persistent, patient, fearless, determined, confident, intelligent, supportive, charitable and empathetic. She was everything, but above all she was grace. These attributes were on display to the very end.

Hardy and Sunny raised 10 children: Charles Hardison Jr. (Barbara), Natasha Dawn Tilley (Robert), Robin Annaley Clegg (Lane), Gwenaley Redd Hardy (Blain), Nicole Clark, Justus Lowry (Brittany), Carlie Felice Lowe (Damon), Beverly Jones Trevizo (Luis), Benjamin Jones (1978-1982) and Christian Preston Randolph (McKell). They are blessed with 37 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Sunny is preceded in death by her parents, brother Geddes, son Benjamin and grandson Emilio.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel in La Sal, Utah. Family will be available to visit prior to the services from 9:45 - 10:45 am. Interment to follow immediately after services at the La Sal Cemetery.

Funeral services will also be available for live streaming at pictureitpalmer.com