Modena Mae (Wilson) Pitts, age 94, of the Baptist Home, Ozark, Mo., passed away Monday, March 21, 2011. She was born Feb. 15, 1917 in Valley Springs, Ark., the daughter of Dock and Lessie (Holmes) Wilson along with her twin sister, Coyita, who preceded her in death in 1996.
Paul and Modena were united in marriage, Jan. 26, 1936 in Valley Springs, Ark. and enjoyed 58 wonderful years together, living and working on their dairy/beef farm east of Ava, Mo.
Early in life, Modena chose Christ as her savior and was a long-time member of the Ava Methodist Church, later joining the First Baptist Church at Ava and then the First Baptist Church of Rogersville after moving there.
Modena loved her family, enjoyed gardening, canning, making quilts to give to her family members. She was a very caring person and did whatever was necessary to help her friends, neighbors, and family. She loved to read riddles, jokes, and poems of all kinds, resulting in good laughs and fond memories for many. She spent many years working at Rawlings, Spaldings, and the Ava School Cafeteria. After moving to Rogersville, she enjoyed volunteering at the Rogersville Senior Center.
She is survived by three sons, John P. and wife Rachel, Ava, Mo., David E. and wife Sue, Rogersville, Mo., James W. and wife Barbara, Nixa, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, Paula, Pam, Kim, Kristi, Julie, Susan, Shelly, Doug, Brian and Amy; three step-grandchildren, Carmen, Chris, and Colette; 17 great-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren and another on the way; two nephews and three nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one infant son, Jackie Royce; and one brother, Orland Wilson; and three sisters, her twin, Coyita Ruff, Opal Baker and Selma Vaughn.
The family offers a special thank-you to the loving and caring Baptist Home Staff at Ozark and to the staff of Hospice Compassus.
Funeral services were held under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, on Wednesday, March 23, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Winston Burton officiating. Burial was in Ava Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Senior Center, 101 N. Mill St., Rogersville, MO. 65742.
Online condolences may be made at www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
