Josephine Crutchfield Day Truett was born in Bartley, West Virginia, on December 19, 1935. She passed on January 2, 2017, surrounded by the love of her family in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jo was born to Dewey Bell and Sadie Crutchfield Bell and was raised by her grandparents, James and Hanna Crutchfield.
In 1952, Jo married William B. Day and together they had four sons, Narshel, Marvin, Melvin and Randy and a baby girl, Evelyn. In 1959, the family moved out West in pursuit of work other than the coal mines. Starting in New Mexico, the family followed the work, living later in Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and then back to Utah, finally settling in Moab. Jo worked all along the way either as a nurse or a waitress, doing what she could to bring in extra money. Times were really hard for them in the beginning, even living in a mud dirt hut, and after the beautiful green of West Virginia, she thought she had gone to the end of the world, but as always, Jo kept a smile and worked hard to make sure her boys were cared for and loved with all she had.
On November 22, 1976, while working in the uranium mines of New Mexico, Bill lost his life in a mining accident. Later, in 1977, Jo met and married Paul L. Truett. She was then swept up into another family that loved her as much as we all did. They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they lived for several years before returning to Moab to be closer to family.
After moving back to Moab, Jo worked for several years in the hospitality industry as head of housekeeping at the Redstone Inn. She loved her work there and it was the hardest thing for her to retire and leave her family there. Eventually, Jo and Paul chose to move to the Salt Lake City area to be nearer to a veterans hospital because of Paul’s declining health. Jo spent the last 10 years of her life making sure that every need of Paul’s was met after he became wheelchair bound. She never tired or lost her patience; she took her vows of marriage very seriously. They lived with Narshel and Doraleen for the remainder of their lives, living in Utah, Florida and finally, Arizona. Paul passed away on February 7, 2016, in Avondale, Arizona.
Jo was preceded in death by her grandparents James and Hanna Crutchfield; her parents Sadie Crutchfield and Dewey Bell; her husbands William B. Day and Paul L. Truett; her baby girl Evelyn Day; and her grandson Marvin B. Day.
Jo is survived by her sons Narshel and Doraleen; Marvin and Bobbie; Melvin and Angela; and Randy and Crystal. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jennifer, Aaron, Billy, Jeremy, Elisha, Tyson, Anna, Michael, Skyler, Kira and Kellon; and by 23 great-grandchildren.
Our, mom, grandma and great-grandma Jo was pure joy in all of our lives. She loved to tell stories, no matter how tall. She would get out her spoons and play and dance a jig like crazy. She loved making great memories with all of the family but especially the grandkids, with or without the permission of their parents. Family is what mattered to Jo and she made us her priority. She always had a kind word and would do anything she could to help others.We will always love her and miss her! Thank you for the memories!
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 6, at 7 p.m. at Spanish Valley Mortuary. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday January 7, at the LDS Chapel at 701 Locust Lane at 1 p.m. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
