Lorraine Dorothy (Mccraw) Lebeau

On May 9, 2025, heaven gained a woman who believed in the power of potato salad, the beauty of roses, and that no one could ever have too many shades of purple in their wardrobe. Lorraine Dorothy LeBeau, aged 84, slipped peacefully into the great beyond-probably with a glass of ice cold Pepsi in one hand and a fudge bar in the other. Dorothy leaves behind a garden of memories and a family who will never quite agree on her secret carrot cake ingredient (some suspect it was magic, others just a dangerous amount of cinnamon). Born in El Centro, California in 1940 to John David McCraw and Grace Lorraine Chapman, Dorothy was a force of nature, a family CEO without the stock options, and the only person who could command silence from a room full of bickering school children with just a look-you know the one. She had a deep love for teaching, music, Louis L'Amour novels, and any story worth telling-especially the ones with a little drama and a lot of heart. Dorothy married Joseph William LeBeau on May 26, 1960, in Vernal, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on December 8, 1964. She raised six children with a mix of grace, grit, discipline, the uncanny ability to spot mischief with her back turned, and a firm belief that "because I said so" was a perfectly valid explanation. As a grandma and great grandma, she perfected the art of spoiling without ruining, and believed strongly in sharing her peanut M&M's addiction. Her legacy lives on with the hundreds of hours spent decoding McCraw and LeBeau ancestor stories and in creating the most detailed family tree. And in her 23 grandchildren-Return Jarric LeBeau, Joshua Kenneth Dearing (Katy Jean Kummer), Zachariah William Dearing (Houston Bridger Crane), Kameron John Dearing (Maysen Riley Dearing), Kamye Eva Marie Felkins (Brandon Scott Felkins), Chauntel Christine Hansen (Zachary Aaron Durtschi), Kausha Dawn Korine LeBeau, Joseph William LeBeau II (Alyssa Ann LeBeau), Jordan Richard LeBeau (deceased), Benjamin James LeBeau (Megan Ryleigh LeBeau), Kira Dorileen LeBeau, Kaitlyn Lorraine LeBeau, Jonathan Michael William LeBeau (Marie LeBeau), Brittian Nicole Star Davis (Brady Lamar Davis), Abigail Daisy LeBeau, Jeremey William LeBeau (Marlie Nevaeh Holmes LeBeau), Jonathan Blue LeBeau (Mckinnely Dawn Mull), Payton Craig Bingham, Maddy Bingham (Daegun Mitchell Oaks), Berlyn Bingham (Mason Tyler Wood), Moses Kofoed LeBeau, Jack Maxwell LeBeau, Archer Prince Spencer-and 11 great grandchildren-Sage Marley Dearing, Margot June Marie Dearing, Winsley EvaRhode Felkins, Finnley Maxwell Felkins, Roselaine Maudree Felkins, Elloise Ann LeBeau, Evangeline Rey LeBeau, Brolan Cole LeBeau, Rose Mia LeBeau, Lily Remy LeBeau, and Jones Jeremey Davis. Along with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Dorothy adored her rose bushes-and not the kind you could neglect. They were trimmed, loved, and talked to like the royalty they clearly believed they were. Her flower beds were a masterpiece of pinks and purples, all thriving under her green thumb (and the occasional lecture to the squirrels who dared trespass). Dorothy made the world's best potato salad-no arguments allowed-and a carrot cake that could convert even the most dedicated chocolate lovers. If you ever asked for the recipe, she'd hand it over with a sly smile, knowing full well you'd never make it quite like hers. She had a black belt in guilt-tripping and could make a mean pot roast that cured emotional trauma. She believed in hard work and that no one should leave the house with wet hair-lest they "catch their death." Her love for her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ were evident in her testimony that she so often shared with all who would listen and in the lives she touched during her two missions-Canada Toronto West Mission from 2006 to 2008 and Family & Church History Headquarters Mission from 2015 to 2016. Dorothy believed reading was a form of magic, that time with grandchildren was sacred, and that no day was complete without at least one good laugh-usually at her own jokes, which were always corny and always perfect. A lover of all John Wayne reruns and canning an exuberant amount with her children, she will be deeply missed. She is now reunited with those who preceded her in death-her beloved Joe and her son, Jonathan William LeBeau, whom she adored. Both were ecstatic to welcome her with open arms after a perfect day flyfishing heaven's rivers. And if there's a library up there, she's already got a stack checked out and is enjoying Splinter of the Mind's Eye or loosing at Settlers of Catan with Jordan Richard LeBeau, a grandson who returned to his Heavenly Father in 2019. Dorothy leaves behind her adoring children-Eva Lorraine Lori LeBeau, Tammie Marie Dearing (Ken Arthur Dearing), Heidi Dawn LeBeau, Joseph Bruce LeBeau, Jeremey Adolphus LeBeau (Eliza (Nelson) LeBeau)-and their families, along with enough love, laughter, and stories to last us all several lifetimes. Her legacy blooms in every grandchild's smile, every shared meal, and every pink flower planted in her honor. As a tribute to her, we ask you to hug your loved ones tight, never pass up an opportunity to support each other, and if you're feeling brave, never stop learning, reading, and writing. A celebration of her beautiful life will be held on May 17, 2025, with a viewing at 9:00 AM and a service at 9:30 AM at the Daniels LDS Stake Center (2285 S Daniels Rd, Heber City, Utah 84032). Followed by a viewing at 1:30 PM at Ashley Valley Funeral Home (410 N 800 W, Vernal, Utah 84078) and a graveside service at Rock Point Cemetery (2250 W 2500 N St, Vernal, Utah 84078) at 2:30 PM. Please wear color and bring your best stories to share-she would've wanted it that way.