Wilda Pitts Chandler was born Dec. 23, 1906, in Springfield, to Bert and Rosetta Williamson, where she lived but a few years before returning as a young child to her mother’s childhood home of Ava. Wilda graduated from Ava High School in 1924.
Wilda married Leo Pitts, son of Joseph V. and Maggie Pitts, and three sons were born to this marriage: Donald, Bill and Jerry, all of whom survive. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Leo, and second husband, Homer Chandler.
Wilda devoted her life to providing for her sons. Working out of the home all of her adult life, she worked almost around the clock for many years, as a clerk in the local Carps Department Store, while also working as the night telephone operator for the Ava Telephone Co. She finished her work career as the receptionist for Dr. C.E. Harlan.
Wilda moved to Kansas City to be near two of her sons in 1992, where she passed away quietly on March 18, 2005.
In addition to her three sons, Don Pitts, Raytown, Bill Pitts, Grand Junction, Colo., and Jerry Pitts, Kansas City, Wilda is survived by five grandchildren, Deborah Beth Hoffman and Kammie Lynn Rucker, both of Grand Junction, Colo., Cheri Ann Crawford, Denver, Colo., Ross Pitts, Kansas City, and Jillian Richwine, Raytown; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation was held at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, at 2 p.m. Monday, with graveside services at 3 p.m. in the Ava Cemetery with the Rev. Lin Stern officiating. Memorials may be made to the Kansas City Hospice.
