Carol Christine (Chris) Neeley Mix, age 78, our faithful mother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Farmington, Utah. She had suffered from Huntington’s Disease for many years, and ultimately succumbed as a result of a stroke.
She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Jan. 26, 1945. She was raised in Sugar House as the sixth of eight siblings by her beloved widowed mother, Maude Groberg Neeley. Her father Kenneth Roosevelt Neeley, passed away when Chris was seven. She attended Highland High School and the University of Utah where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Child Development. This suited her natural talents, aligned with her lifelong goal of being a dedicated mother, and blessed her own children as she taught and encouraged them.
Mom recognized her blessings came from the Lord and lived the principle, “Because I have been given much, I too must give.” Her generous nature was demonstrated in the time and energy she spent preparing the family cabin in Island Park, Idaho, for friends and family. As a little girl, she would often spend summers at Mack’s Inn with cousins. This tradition continued for generations and has blessed many friends and their families through the years. When asked about the time and the summers she spent fixing up and maintaining the cabin, she would often say, “We are not building a cabin…we are building a family.” She taught her children the value of working hard and serving others.
Mom loved music and was always humming. She instilled this love in her children by singing hymns, musicals, and encouraging her children to play the piano and/or violin. She was known for pulling out her baritone ukulele around a campfire and anywhere a song was needed. She would often break out in fun, simple songs. She said the sound of children is the background music of a happy life.
Where she wanted her kids to have opportunities, she created those opportunities. As PTA president of Lincoln Elementary School in Rexburg, Idaho, she raised funds for a new playground. She organized and conducted a children’s choir and performing group called Sundance Kids. Chris started the A.Y.S.O soccer league in Rexburg so her kids could play soccer. She created a sweatshirt applique business, Christie’s Collectables, which facilitated opportunities for her children to earn money for church missions and college.
Her passion for learning and experiencing life never ceased. She earned her Master’s degree in economics from Utah State University, while several of her children attended the same school. Chris drove three hours from Rexburg, Idaho to Logan, Utah every week and would sleep on her daughter’s couch. She also received training to be an addiction counselor, which allowed her to serve for many years in Arizona in the Church’s Addiction Recovery Program.
As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chris loved the Lord and loved to be in His temple. She served several years as an ordinance worker in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.
Because she knew she could do all things through Christ, the word “can’t” was NOT in her vocabulary, nor would she allow it to be used by any of her kids. Mom’s willingness to always do what was required of her with a smile was her life’s trademark and was instilled in all of her children.
Chris is preceded in death by her mother and father and four of her siblings: Lenore (Shirl) Cornwall, Joanne (Walt) Buehner, Marilyn (Ells) Knudson, Kenneth (Nola) Neeley and a grandson Isaac Trinnaman. She is survived by her former husband, Jeffrey W. Mix, her children, Allison (Marshall) Smith of Riverton, Utah; Heather (Reed) Sutherland of Gilbert, Arizona; Tiffany (David) Smith of Bountiful, Utah; Cannon (Kathryn) Mix of Boise, Idaho; David (Jennifer) Mix of Layton, Utah; Kellie (Tim) Harper of Huntersville, North Carolina; and Holly (Matthew) Trinnaman of Moses Lake, Washington. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and an Arizona license plate “GMACHRS.”
A funeral celebrating Chris’ life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 1320 East 1975 South, Bountiful, Utah, 84010. A viewing will be held Monday evening, Feb. 13, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah. Another viewing will be held Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Legacy House of Park Lane and Inspiration Home Health & Hospice for their care of Chris over the past few months. God be with you until we meet again, Mom.
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