Joan was born on September 3, 1932 in Hydro, Oklahoma from the union of E.V. Vern Austell and Josephine Austell. She moved to the Mack area at the young age of seven and graduated from the Appleton High School. Mutual friends introduced her to Keith F. White for a horseback riding trip in Meeker, CO. Keith and Joan would later marry in Grand Junction on August 9, 1959, Keith survives.
The family lived in Craig CO. where she owned her own hair salon for over twenty years, and later moved to Grand Junction in 1985.
Joan was a member of the First Christian Church and the Eastern Star Sunshine Chapter 53 as well as the Lands’ End Camping group. She enjoyed spending time arranging flowers especially orchids, lilacs and peonies.
Joan leaves behind her husband of sixty years; Keith F. White of Grand Junction, three sons, Kemitt (Becky) White of Whitewater, CO, Ben White of Clifton, CO and Brian White of Craig, CO., and a sister, Jeanetta Scott of Golden, CO. Other survivors include seven grandchildren, Nic White, Marshall White, Alex White, Chrystal White, Tristan White, Sarah White and Daniel White, eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Austell.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, Friday, December 27, 2019 at the First Christian Church with a funeral service to follow at 10:00 AM. Burial will take place at the Grand Junction Memorial Gardens Cemetery.