Lelia Jo Ann Carter

December 9, 1945 - December 14, 2015

After a long battle with cancer, Lelia “Penny” Jo Ann Carter died on December 14, 2015 in Taylorsville, UT at the age of 70. She leaves behind her son, Christopher Wideman (married to Sarah Wideman), and her grandchildren Damoni, Layla and Mya Wideman. She is predeceased by her son, Sean Carter. Lelia was born on December 9, 1945 in Lexington, VA, to her father Walter Dunn and her mother Denia Smith, who predeceased her. She grew up in a large family with four sisters and three brothers. When her son Christopher was young, they moved to Northern Virginia where they ultimately settled in Lake Ridge. She spent her career working for the State of Virginia, and even after her diagnosis of breast cancer, she remained dedicated to her work and completed two Bachelors degrees along the way in Business. She always maintained a will to fight, and was a brave, strong-willed woman, even throughout her final days of life. Lelia moved to Utah in August 2015 to spend her final months closer to her son and defied all odds in her final days by fighting longer than hospice had ever seen for someone in her condition. Lelia spent much of her time dedicated to family history research and also enjoyed sewing and making jewelry. She was a Jehovah’s Witness and became more devout in her faith and participation over the course of her life. Lelia left a legacy of strength and determination that will be remembered by all who knew her.