Barbara Whitsitt, 71, of Beaumont died February 21, 2005 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, she moved with her young family to Beaumont in 1961. Following the death of her husband Durward “Durb” Whitsitt in 1985, Barbara went back to school graduating Valedictorian from Lamar University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She will always be remembered as being dedicated and loyal to her family, and for her life of service and volunteerism to her church.
Barbara is survived by her sons, Bob Whitsitt and his wife Mary of Missouri City, John Whitsitt and his wife Liz of Houston, and Jim Whitsitt and his wife Stephanie of Vidor; daughters, Mary Anne Novia of Kingwood and Sara Pellegreen and her husband Jack of Memphis, TN; brothers, James David Beaver of northern Ohio and Tom Beaver of Boston, MA; and by her eleven grandchildren, Michael Whitsitt, Dave Whitsitt, Kate Whitsitt, Edith Whitsitt, Tara Whitsitt, Seth Whitsitt, Avin Whitsitt, Matthew Novia, Laura Novia, Alyssa Pellegreen and Austin Pellegreen. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, C.E. Newton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 24, 2005 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Beaumont, followed by burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of her family and friends will begin at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church, with a Christian Vigil to be held at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 829, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
