JoAnn Black Price

JoAnn Black Price, 85, passed away September 17, 2021 in St. George, Utah from complications of COVID-19. She was born on May 31, 1936, in Murray, Utah, to Legrand Black and June Bateman Black and was the oldest of four children. She adored her “big” little brothers.

JoAnn graduated from Murray High School in 1955, where she led a musical group and formed a James Dean fan club with her best friends. Among JoAnn’s many gifts included the ability to play the Piano and Ukulele by ear. Throughout her life she loved to paint, to write, to play cards and games, and to create movies showcasing family memories

Becoming a single mother in her mid-30s, JoAnn tirelessly worked multiple jobs to support her family while at the same time pursuing her goal of higher education, receiving an Associate’s Degree from the Executive Secretary program at the Salt Lake Community College. JoAnn always brought a sense of selfless devotion and strong work ethic to her professional role steadily advancing until her retirement from the San Diego County Office of Public Defenders as the top legal secretary. 

After retirement, she returned to Murray, Utah to care for her elderly parents, LeGrand and June Black.

Rising above the challenges she faced, JoAnn found her voice and the power to love fearlessly, stepping forward to defend and care for the abused, the stranger, the downtrodden, and the voiceless. She exemplified grit and compassion, always seeing the heroic in those around her. Her favorite words of encouragement were, ”Hope is the heartbeat of the soul” and “Tomorrow will be a better day.”

Above all, she loved her precious family. 

JoAnn is survived by her children with her first husband Wilford Gunther Erichsen, Susan and Kevin Potter, David and Cathy Erichsen, Janyce Erichsen Jones, Robert Erichsen and Jeff Kilmer 8 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger and Sondra Black, Alan and Ileen Black, and Bruce and Penny Black. She was preceded in death by: her parents, LeGrand and June Black, and her son, Daniel LeGrand Erichsen. 

 In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Dove Center. To make a memorial gift, go to www.dovecenter.org and click or DONATE in the purple box in the upper left hand corner.  From there the form is self explanatory if using a credit card.  Please indicate the gift is a tribute for JoAnn Black Price when prompted.

A celebration of JoAnn's life will be on Friday, October 8, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Due to the current pandemic and the efforts of keeping everyone safe, all are asked to call the funeral home at 801-474-9119 Monday thru Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM to make a reservation to visit with her family. The family is requesting all to wear a face covering.