Joann Leitch Etu, 82, of Columbia, died on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. She is survived by her husband, David; daughter, Kelly (Steve) Stanton; son, David (Tracy) Etu, Jr.; sisters, Gene Limehouse (Lawton), of Charleston, and Audrey Frost, of Cary, NC.

She is also survived by her five grandsons, Jacob Stanton (Brooke), Joseph Stanton (Reese), Jackson Stanton, Will Etu, and Tyler Etu; great-granddaughter, Rowen; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends in Charleston; and her constant companion, her dog, Marley.

Joann was born June 9, 1942, and was a daughter of Thelma Kiser Leitch and Joseph Clyde Leitch. She was born in the neighborhood of Avondale in St. Andrew's Parrish. This address sent her to new schools, graduating from St. Andrews High School in the class of 1960. She was an amazing majorette with the marching band.

In 1964, she graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Elementary Education and went on to marry the love of her life (after meeting on a blind date) and to teach many students throughout her career.

Joann and David were married on July 25, 1964, in Charleston at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Their entire married life was spent in Columbia in the Forest Acres area. She was a first-grade teacher at Forest Lake Elementary, until she became a career homemaker.

She was devoted to her two children and five grandsons. She was also a devoted wife, enjoying travelling on business trips and watching Notre Dame play football with her husband. As a dedicated grandmother, she attended all sports and school events. She was an amazing cook and was famous for her mother's red rice, never making less than two rice steamers full.
Joann, along with her family were charter members of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston. She always maintained her membership there.

The service for Mrs. Etu will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday, November 12th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia.

The family would like to thank Interim Hospice, including Aja, Michelle, Chaplain Tony, Bebe, and her private aide, Latisha for their dedicated love and care.

Flowers may be sent or memorials may be made Pets Inc., 300 Orchard Dr, West Columbia, SC 29170 or Interim Hospice, 250 Berryhill Rd, Suite 404, Columbia, SC, 29210.