Services will be broadcast live on Wing Mortuary's Facebook page once the service begins.

Rita Ann Woolley Cherbonnier Penix passed away the morning of Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Cedar Hills, Utah, with her daughters by her side.

Rita wrote this 20 years ago to her daughters-

Dear Teri and Debbie,

If you are reading this, I must be dead, so I guess this is my farewell. My life began on March 27, 1941 in Jackson, Mississippi, the only child of Audrey Lee Scott Woolley and Bennie Lamar Woolley. My dad died when I was three months old, so my Mom was both Mother and Father to me. Uncle Henry was the "father" in my life. He gave me all the love a real Dad would have, plus he spoiled me rotten. He was the most wonderful man. I had a wonderful childhood in Jackson. Julie (my best friend since age 3 and my sister by choice) and I enjoyed life at its best! I went to school in Jackson, graduating from Central High in 1959. From there I went to Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, Mississippi. In 1960, I married my high school sweetheart, Mike Cherbonnier and, together we had two beautiful daughters, Audrey Theresa and Debra Michelle. Mike and I divorced after 15 years of marriage, so I supported my little family by working for Southern Pacific Railroad, first in Houston, then in San Francisco. Teri and Debbie grew up to be intelligent, beautiful, responsible and compassionate women of whom I am so very proud. They both married terrific young men and started their own families. In 1988, after ten years of dating, Roy Penix and I married. He has been my dearest friend, companion and lover and will forever have a place in my heart. I have survived breast cancer twice, one divorce, and countless other little tribulations, but for the most part, I have had a wonderful life. My grandchildren have been the lights of my life and have given me more joy than could ever be described. Yes, I have been truly blessed in this life, and I am so very grateful to my Heavenly Father for all my blessings. So, don't be sad at my leaving you. I have had it all. Throw a party for me and have lots of fattening foods in my honor and please remember me as the most fun-loving old broad you ever knew. I love you all so very much. See you in Heaven (I hope!)

Love, Mom
December 2002

Rita loved life. You did not need to know her well to know how dearly she will be missed. She loved and laughed and shared all she could happily and freely. She is the most beautiful woman in every way. She gracefully faced pain and the trials of life with humor, compassion, patience, and dignity. Even in the midst of her own pain, she thought about others more than herself.

Her family and friends describe her as spunky and could always count on her to make them laugh, especially when joking about her celebrity crush, Tom Selleck. She was adored by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to picking out the perfect birthday card to let them know they were loved.

Rita spent many years volunteering as a Pink Lady at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. She loved the staff and the patients she met while she was there.

Rita never did anything halfway. After joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2006, she began writing to the missionaries in her ward and sending them care packages. Missionaries all over the world were loved by Rita!

Serving as a committee member for the Festival of Trees, benefitting Primary Children's Hospital, brought her a great deal of satisfaction and joy. She spent hours in preparation for this event each year. She found people to help make crafts to sell. Some of her greatest friendships were those that were formed during these years.

She loved her country and was very proud of her years as a Marine Corp wife. Her patriotism was matched only by those who wore the military uniform.

She loved music, shopping on Black Friday, birthday cake with LOTS of buttercream frosting, going out to eat, singing in the car with her girls, spoiling her family on Christmas, and having "pretty nails." She liked taking cross-country road trips with her husband, Roy, and bought a tent trailer after developing a love for camping later in life.

Most importantly, Rita loved the Lord and her family. She had a strong belief in eternal families and was sealed to her husband and daughters in October 2021. This crowning event of her life brought her great comfort and joy.

Rita is survived by her daughters, Teri (Mike) Allred, Debbie (Scott) Okelberry, 7 grandchildren: Benjamin (SeungHee) Allred, Joshua (Allison) Allred, Rebecca Culliford, Matthew (Danielle) Okelberry, Camille (Zack) Murphy, Steven (Sydney) Okelberry, Michelle Okelberry, and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her cousins Rebecca Hurst Dunn, Linda Sue Smith, Kenneth Hurst, Scott Hanenkrat, and their families, and lifelong friend and sister by choice, Julie C. Renfrow. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Roy.

The family would like to thank the compassionate and loving staff at The Charleston at Cedar Hills and Yarrow Hospice for their devoted care of our beloved mother and grandmother. Rita loved you all!

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7th, at Wing Mortuary at 118 East Main, Lehi, Utah. Visiting will be at 1 pm, and the Funeral services will begin at 2 pm. Interment will be at American Fork Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following charities: Primary Children's Hospital, the Missionary Fund for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or The American Cancer Society.

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