JoAnn Goodworth Leithead Crittenden

JoAnn Goodworth Leithead Crittenden, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, surrounded by family in Heber, Utah.

JoAnn was born at home on February 2, 1941, in Kamas, Utah to Elena A. Jenson and Richard Vernile Goodworth and grew up the third of nine children: Richard, David, Carol, Susan, Louise, Marie, Glen, and Rex. She grew up in the Uinta Mountains that she loved because her father ran the fish hatchery in Summit County. She was raised without many comforts or conveniences and learned to love reading and spending time outside or with siblings. She graduated from South Summit High School in 1959 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Utah in 1963. She began her career teaching first grade in Salt Lake City, a calling that reflected her lifelong love for children and learning.

On January 25, 1966, JoAnn married Glen Selkirk Leithead in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they built a life centered on family while living in Huntsville Alabama, Logan Utah, and Poughkeepsie New York. During these years, they were blessed with 7 children Joel, Tracy, Nathan, Jill, Lance, Lorin, and Jay.

Following Glen’s passing on October 30, 1980, JoAnn returned to Kamas, Utah, where she built a home in 1981. On July 29, 1983, she married Edmund Reed (Ted) Crittenden who had 5 grown children Ronald, Norman, Kendall, Deann and Cindy.

In 1989, JoAnn returned to teaching at South Summit Elementary, where she taught first-grade for 16 more years. She retired in 2005, having touched the lives of countless students with her patience, love and kindness.

In her younger years, Joann loved dancing and hiking. In her later years, JoAnn loved reading—especially children’s books, cowboy stories, and regency romances—and found satisfaction in crocheting, quilting, gardening, and painting. She had a deep appreciation for nature and took pride in keeping her yard filled with beautiful flowers and trees. Above all, she cherished her family.

She is survived by her husband, Edmund (Ted); sons, Joel G. Leithead (Cheryl), Lance R. Leithead (Amy), Lorin J. Leithead (Elizabeth), and Jay K. Leithead (Katie); daughter, Tracy Wood (Keith); and Jill Wanstrom (Bart), 16 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and step-children Norman Crittenden, Kendall Crittenden (Linda), DeAnn Witt (Kim), and Cindy Odekirk (Kim). She is preceded in death by husband Glen; son Nathan H. Leithead; and stepson Ronald Crittenden.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 100 W Center St, Kamas UT 84003. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:45 am prior to services. Interment will be in the Francis Cemetery.