Maida Rae Pitts

Friday, March 13, 2009

Maida Rae Pitts, age 93, passed away at her home on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.

Maida Rae was a member of the Oakland Baptist Church and a retired self-employed beautician of 18 years. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, the true matriarch of the Pitts family in every sense. She loved and cared for her family sacrificially, always placing their needs above her own. Her domesticity extended far beyond the fundamental, although her home cooked meals were without equal. She was an accomplished writer, artist, painter, and seamstress; indeed 13 brides' including her own daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, were attired on their wedding days in her exquisitely handcrafted gowns. Most importantly, though, Maida Rae loved her lord with her whole heart. After a lifetime of loving service to him, and even as her memory failed, her love for the word of God and for worshipping Him brought her joy. Though words failed her, her countenance brightened at the mention of heaven where she resides today with herbeloved husband, her loved ones gone before, and the Lord she served faithfully.

Maida Rae was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Ralph E. Pitts; son, Trenton A. Pitts; grandson, Evan Pitts; her parents, Thomas Jefferson and Sara (Sadie) Snider Hawkins; and sister, Naomi Wilkinson.

Survivors include: her son, Nick F. Pitts and his wife Marilyn, of Granby, Mo.; daughter, Elaine Stockdale and her husband Truman, of Corinth, Miss.; grandchildren, Tina Finley, Tammy Krick, Traci Johnson, Ryan Pitts, Autumn Pitts, Amber Pitts, Jennifer Collins, and Lori Pettit; great-grandchildren, Chris, Jack, Jesse, Steven, Sadie, Brian, Joshua, Laura, Faith, Todd, Brittany, Dylan, and Holden; her twin sister, Adah Mae Rules, of Ottawa, Kan.; her special niece, Betty Pitts; longtime friend, Mildred Brown, and other relatives and a host of friends.

The body will lie in state at Oakland Baptist Church, in Corinth, Miss., today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 14, from 1 p.m., until service time.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March, 14, 2009, at 2 p.m., at Oakland Baptist Church, in Corinth, Miss., with Dr. Randy Bostick officiating. Burial will be at the Milo Cemetery, in Milo, Mo., on Monday, March 16, at 4 p.m.

Pallbearers are: Wayne Prince, Glenn Roach, Joe Sellers, Steve Morelock, Jimmy Stricklen, and Bengy Massey. Honorary Pallbearers are: Esther Sunday School Class, and Bishop Center friends.