Vera W. Pitts

Vera Willie Funderburk Pitts was born on December 21, 1917, the last of 10 children. She was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, a small town near.....nowhere. She liked to say the she and Dr. Phil are both from Vinita, Oklahoma! Willie, as she was known to her friends, had an adventurous spirit. She was always ready to try something new which was perfect being a military wife. Dad always said,"If you open the car door, Willie will jump in!".  Having a life of travel took her well beyond her little town in Oklahoma.  While living in the Arctic in Canada she pulled her lawn chair, in the snow, to the rivers' edge to watch the polar bears and seals float down the river on the ice flow. In Japan she took classes in the art of flower arranging and was captivated with the customs of the Japanese. In Thailand she dined with the King and Queen to celebrate the Kings birthday. Mom had a zest for life and knew how to make the most of any situation. She was an optimist by nature and reminded us kids that "Can't never did anything." She had an artists heart and found beauty wherever she was. She also had a love of learning and therefore later found a love for teaching. She taught art for 12 years at Grace Christian School and loved every minute of it. She was an avid Bridge player which gave her instant friends wherever she traveled. She loved fashion and was always dressed to perfection.  Willie loved her church! When she moved here in 1966 the first thing she did was search for a church she could attend with her children. She found her spot in a little house here in Bowie. A mission church just getting started was where she planted herself. Grace Baptist Church is where her heart and soul grew and flourished for over 50 years. Her life was full and she felt blessed. With 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren it's no wonder.  Mom, it comforts us to know that you are with your Lord and Savior and celebrating with the angels. We love you Mom and we'll all miss you.