Joyce Noel Crittenden

She was born November 14, 1931, in Joplin, Missouri to Carl F. Noel and Juanita (Noel) Campbell. She met her beloved Jim Crittenden in 1948 at Ouachita Baptist University.  They were married in 1950 and enjoyed a lifelong love affair. A longtime resident of Beaumont, she was a 1960 graduate of Lamar State College of Technology and received her Master’s degree in 1968 from the University of Houston. She was a history teacher, but found her greatest reward as a guidance counselor at French High School.

She was an active member of Calder Baptist Church for fifty years where she and her husband, Jim, found a spiritual home and family.  She was an avid reader, pet lover (her Digit), a fan of the Astros and college basketball, backyard gardening, and bird watching.

Survivors include her husband of sixty-two years, Jim Crittenden of Beaumont; sons, Noel Crittenden and his wife, Mary Pam of Beaumont and Jeffrey Crittenden and his wife, Margaret of Beaumont; grandchildren, Chris Greenspan and his wife, Heather, Sarah Sanders, Rebecca Sanders, and Jay Sanders; and great grandson, Aaron James Greenspan.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and her beloved stepmother, Lois B. Noel.

A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 N. 11th Street, Beaumont,  with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calder Baptist Church, 1005 N. 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702 or to Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St., Arkadelphia, Arkansas  71998.