Lula O'Brien

Obdulia “Lula” Flores O’Brien, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loving friend completed her earthly calling at the age of 92 on May 26, 2026, Kaysville, Utah, due to the effects of age and several illnesses.

Lula was born August 7, 1933, to Melecio Soliz & Hilaria Trevino Flores, in Kingsville, TX.

Married to Thomas Larry O’Brien, Jr. in Logan, Utah on February 19, 1960. They were sealed together for eternity in the Los Angeles LDS Temple in September 1960.

She was the first in her family to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 18 years old. She was a loyal and devoted member of the LDS Church. She loved our Heavenly Father and Savior with all her heart. Her unwavering testimony was the source of all her joy and strength. She served a full-time mission in the Texas / New Mexico Spanish-American Mission and continued to joyfully serve in various callings throughout her life. After completing her mission, she moved to Salt Lake City where she was employed at Deseret Book, in the accounting department and lived across the street in the Brigham Young Home - The Beehive House, which for a time served as an LDS girls’ dormitory. She attended an LDS Spanish Speaking Branch where she met Larry, and it was discovered that they served in the same LDS mission. They dated, fell in love and the rest is history. The love and devotion she and Larry shared was unmatched. It was truly something to be admired and emulated. We have envisioned their exciting and glorious reunion.

In the summer of 1975, she organized possibly the largest missionary reunion for that mission that had ever been assembled, including the mission president, all the missionaries and their families at Jacob’s Lake Lodge in Arizona. Over 400 were in attendance. Her love and devotion for missionary work and the sharing of the gospel never faltered.

From a very young age she found achievement and success in her employment, most often as a bookkeeper. She was hard working, meticulous and detail oriented to a fault.

She found immense joy and pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her deep love for each of them was apparent. She fiercely loved her siblings and adored her nieces and nephews, as if they were her own. They have been some of her biggest fans and they all love their Tia Lula. Family was always her number one priority and love. We cherish the many wonderful memories shared and all we have learned from her. She will be sorely missed.

She possessed many talents, including cooking, canning, sewing, gardening, quilting, embroidery, decorating, and painting, just to name a few. She held large classes in her home, teaching others the art of tole painting. Larry worked alongside her as her personal wood cutter. Adding her unique decorative style to her home and surroundings came naturally to her. She LOVED vibrant colors and everything RED, especially her lipstick. She was always interested in learning new skills and developing her talents and sharing these with others too. She was always very passionate about the many things she pursued.

She is survived by her children David O’Brien, Thomas O’Brien (Dori), & Liz Sowell (Todd). Six grandchildren: Tara, Anthony, Hunter, Laura, Amy, & TJ and their partners, ten great-grandchildren, brother, Hector H. Flores & many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

She is preceded in death by her husband Larry, Oscar M. Flores (brother), Olga A. Phelps (sister), & Melecio Flores Jr. (brother).

The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Whisper Cove Assisted Living, and Landon, Mady & Karli of Beehive Health Care, and Atlas Hospice Services for their kind and compassionate care. She especially loved those who would share their conversations in Spanish.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel, 160 South 300 East, Centerville UT. Viewing will be held 9:00-10:45 a.m.

Interment will be at Centerville City Cemetery, 650 East 400 South, UT 84014.