Joanne Pitts

Longtime friend and resident, Nell “Joanne” Pitts, 80, of Coulee City, passed away Sunday, November 24, 2013 surrounded with love at the Grand Coulee Medical Center. Born in Childers, OK to late parents Claude A. Sr. and Nina K Stierwalt, Joanne moved to Eastern Washington in 1942. At fifteen she met her future husband, James Pitts, while stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire when he traded her a tire jack for a dance in Wilson Creek. Knowing that they were soul mates, nine months later they pledged to love each other forever and married at the hitching post in Coeur d’Alene, ID. On November 4, 2013 they celebrated their sixty-fourth wedding anniversary. A proud member of the Cherokee Nation, Joanne enjoyed sharing stories about her heritage with her friends and family. Her days were spent teaching her children and grandchildren the importance of making a house a home and family comes first through the everyday way of life she naturally practiced. Joanne was always circled by those she loved and enjoyed teaching them to cook, bake, and nurture those around them. Joanne loved the life she’d created on the farm and caring for her beloved chickens. Joanne is survived by her loving husband, James Pitts, twin sister Nina Jean Stromen, and brother Jay Stierwalt. Along with her children Randy Pitts, Janet Pate, Jeannie Kane, Angie Ballinger, and their families. Joanne was the kind of grandmother who took every opportunity to tell you just how proud she was of her fourteen grandchildren and soon to be sixteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her siblings Esther Leah, Nyla Jane, Claude A Jr., Leslie Wendell, Charles Oren, Donald Jack, Raymond Carl, and her son James “Jimmy” Pitts. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Grand Coulee Medical Center as well as friends and visitors for showing your love and support to the Pitts family during this time. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Coulee City, Monday December 2, 2013 at 11:00am. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family and view the online tribute video at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, WA.

Tributes

Joanne Pitts

August 3, 1933 - November 24, 2013