Joanne Christy

Our mother, Joanne (Iverson) Christy, left this world peacefully on Sunday, August 29th, 2021 surrounded by her family in Pine Valley, Washington, Utah.

Joanne was born on August 30th, 1955, to Lawrence and Ruby Claudine Meecham Iverson in St. George, Utah. She was blessed to be part of a kind and loving family with parents and siblings who exemplified what it meant to treat each other with Christlike love. All of her growing up years were spent in her childhood home in what used to be the southern part of St. George, Utah.  Her second home was out on the Arizona Strip, which she referred to as “out home”.  She spent many days with her family and extended family “out home”, which held a special place in her heart. She made sure to engrain that same love of the Arizona strip in her children.

In high school Joanne was in the Pep Club, the Future Homemakers of America, and was President of the Folk Singing Club. She played the guitar, banjo, steel guitar, and also sang. She graduated from Dixie High School in 1973, and soon went on to Evans Cosmetology School in Cedar City, Utah. Joanne worked as a beautician for many years at Cleo’s and Louise’s Beauty Shops. and after marriage started a nail business in her home. She always had her make up on, big hair, and bright colored fingernails.

After a whirlwind dating period of 2 weeks, and an engagement of 5 weeks, Joanne married Richard McCauley Christy on October 11, 1980 in the St. George Temple. She gained 2 daughters, Jodi and Heather, through marriage, and then had 3 sons, Tyrell, Chase, and Travis. Joanne loved Rick deeply, and cherished being a mother. She was dedicated, loving, and committed to her family.

Through the years Joanne spent much of her time crafting, scrap booking, listening to music, doing her favorite puzzles, keeping up her yard, homeschooling her boys, creating a large array of home-made decorations, and always finding ways to serve her friends, family, and neighbors.

Joanne had an extravagant movie collection which consisted of MASH, Cheers, Andy Griffith and various other western movies. She often put on a TV show while doing other projects. Her children all have fond memories of doing puzzles and crafts with her while watching her favorite shows.

Joanne had a witty sense of humor and was always quick with comebacks. She loved a good joke and laughed easily.

Joanne was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in numerous Stake and Ward level capacities.

Joanne suffered many health challenges in the spring of 2000, including a traumatic brain injury. We were able to enjoy many additional years with her and often had glimpses of her witty sense of humor. We are so grateful she is now whole.

Joanne is survived by her children: Jodi Hartmann, Heather Steinert, Tyrell Christy, Chase (Marleen) Christy, and Travis (Lindsey) Christy; 15 grandchildren; brothers Larry (Carolyn) Iverson, Ken Iverson, sister Glenda (Donald) Reid, sisters-in-law Karren Iverson, and Sharon (Craig) Eyre. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rick Christy, both of her parents, Lawrence and Ruby Iverson, and her brother Wayne Iverson. 

Funeral services will be held on Sept 7, 2021 in the LDS Chapel located at 1867 South, Washington Fields Road, Washington Utah at 11:00 am.  There will be a viewing on Monday evening Sept 6, 2021 at Hughes Mortuary, 1037 East 700 South, St. George, Utah from 6-7:30 pm as well as prior to the service at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 am.  Interment will be at the Washington City Cemetery.