Jody Bowen Birdzell August 1, 1972 - September 2, 2021

Jodene “Jody” Bowen Birdzell, age 49, passed away at home on September 2, 2021. She was born August 1, 1972, in Palm Beach, Florida, to Joe Russell Bowen and Clydene Brailsford Bowen. The family moved to Springville, Utah, where Jody attended Springville High School. She married Richard Birdzell. They have been together since February 2007. They have four sons, five daughters and a host of grandchildren.

Jody has an angelic spirit and is a bright light to many. She loves her grandchildren, having sleep overs and making puzzles with Raeleigh, playing cars with TJ, Kaysers cowboy outfits and Lincoln falling to sleep in her arms. Her conversations with Hailee left her amazed, pointing at the kites and saying “they look like my spirit guides” and telling Rich what Wyatt said and laughing because she understood him and Rich didn’t, while Freya would stare into her eyes.

When Jody and Rich came to be, they had a large family. Each one of the children brought their own unique way. Jody loved every one of them for whom they are. Shayla is her sidekick, best friend. Watching Shay blossom, she is so proud of her and the Mother she has become, while still being her “little girl.” She would go spend the day with Shayla and her mom and would glow for days telling Rich about their day. Jake is Shayla’s husband. She has so much admiration for him. He’s such a great husband and father. Jody knows he will be her rock. Skyler lives in Moab; they would talk on the phone for hours with him and Dawn. She is so proud of the man he has become. Josh is her Viking and son. She has a special mother-son bond with Josh that cannot be put into words. She loves him so much; and Trista, Josh’s wife, is the light worker and spirit in her life she loves and adores. Michael is her hunter warrior son. She often said if the world came to an end and Rich wasn’t here she would run to Mike; he would keep her safe. She adores Mike. Whitney and Britney, the twins, she loved having them around, they are so different but the same. She would spend hours just talking to them and for days reminiscing their conversations with such happiness. Elizabeth, she would tell Rich often, “she is such a beautiful girl” Travis would just make her laugh and laugh. Shannon, she could spend hours talking to Shan . . . So much love for her. Each one of these children have a special bond and place in Jody’s heart.

Jody both loved and dreaded Rich’s infamous road trips. They would get in the truck and drive to know where listening to his “jokes”. It would make her belly laugh until her cheeks hurt. She would always tell him “That’s why I love you much… you make me laugh out loud.”

Jody and her mom (Clydene) spent hours together. They would go to rock shops searching for special rocks and crystals. She would bring them home always with a story behind each one, where and how they found them and the meaning behind each one, then put them on display in her “Jody spot”.

Grady was her “go to”. She has so much respect and admiration for Grady. When she would spend the day with Shay and mom, Grady would stop by even if just for a minute. Every one of those minutes would make her glow. “Grady stopped today” she would say with a beaming smile.

Joe, her little brother, she is so proud of Joe. Walking in the steps of their dad . . . racing cars . . . she loves talking about the race cars . . . her dad’s old cars and Joe’s race car. Watching him race was an absolute joy.

Rachel and Lori, her sisters, both had their place in her heart, they fought like sisters and loved like sisters and laugh about it but the love for them will always be strong.

Jody loves her family.

Jody is survived by her mother, Clydene Bowen; her husband, Richard Birdzell; her mother-in-law, Deanna Birdzell; and her children: Shayla (Jacob) Claiborne, Skyler Christiansen, Josh (Trista) Birdzell, Whitney Birdzell, Britney Birdzell, Michael Birdzell, Travis Birdzell, Elizabeth Orr; her many grandchildren, her brothers: Grady (Mandy) Bowen, Joe (Shaylie) Bowen; and her sisters: Lori (Danny) Hendrix, and Rachel (Steve) Sorensen. She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Russell Bowen: her grandson, Tristan Birdzell; and her grandparents, George and Emogene Brailsford; Elizabeth Louise Green Bowen Osborne and Grady Eugene Bowen.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021, at the Spring Lake 3rd Ward Building, 608 West 1400 South, Payson, Utah. There will be a viewing on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah 84651; and on Thursday morning, September 9, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service.  View the services at the following link (available after 10:45 a.m. on Thursday morning, September 9th):

https://zoom.us/j/94539172073

Following funeral, interment will follow at Payson City Cemetery, 400 N 800 E St, Payson, UT 84651.