Celebrating the Life of Johanne Geraldine Youngblood Crittenden

Johanne Geraldine Youngblood Crittenden, 99, the beloved matriarch of her family, passed away on July 2, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, music, devotion, and unconditional love.

Johanne was born on December 15, 1926, in Anadarko, Oklahoma, to Mary Margaret (McBride) Youngblood and Isaac Frank Youngblood. She grew up surrounded by family and developed a lifelong love of music. She graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1945. Shortly after graduation, she married the love of her life, Roy John Crittenden, and together they were blessed with four children.

A woman of deep faith, Johanne was devoted to her church, her family, and her music. Blessed with a beautiful voice and exceptional musical talent, she shared her gifts throughout her life. As a young woman, she and her two sisters performed weekly on KVOO Radio. She later became a member of the Sweet Adelines, continuing to inspire others through her love of singing.

Johanne's career and service to her community spanned many decades. While attending high school, she worked at Hawks Dairies Ice Creamery on 11th Street in Tulsa. During the 1960s, she served as Choir Director at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, where she also taught music to the parish school children. Her passion for music extended beyond the church. Johanne taught piano lessons from her home in Tulsa, nurturing the talents of countless students. Her dedication even took her to Vinita, Oklahoma, where she traveled to teach piano lessons out of the back of a local store.

Always ready for a new adventure, Johanne embraced a unique career in the 1980s, traveling across the country selling eyeglass cleaner, a job she continued well into the 2000s. She enjoyed meeting new people and made friends wherever she went.

Above all else, Johanne was the heart of her family. She was the ultimate matriarch, the keeper of family traditions, and the one who brought everyone together. She was especially known for hosting and preparing every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, welcoming generations of family into her home with love, warmth, and incredible meals. Her home was a place where memories were made, laughter was shared, and everyone knew they belonged.

Johanne was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Margaret and Isaac Frank Youngblood; her siblings, Snookie, Topsy, Jerry Myer, Peewee, Pat, Jimmy Patok, and Frank Youngblood; her two sons, Roy Glen Crittenden and Jerry Wayne Crittenden; and her great-granddaughter, Mariah Dawn Sinnett.

She is lovingly survived by her two daughters, Germaine Roberts and Geraldine Zyskowski; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, along with many extended family members and dear friends.

Johanne never met a stranger. Her kindness, generous spirit, love of music, and unwavering devotion to her family touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m., with Funeral service following at 10:00 a.m, Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 9101 S. Harvard, in Tulsa.