Ettie Juanita Church, 93, passed from this life to eternal life on January 24, 2021. She came into this world tiny and feisty on August 16, 1927 and she never lost that feisty, fighting spirit. She was known by her friends as Nita, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren called her Little Grandma, and her children called her Momma. She took pride in all her many names.
Nita loved tending her garden, quilting blankets for family, crocheting ornaments for Christmas, and never missed a chance to go fishing. She loved surrounding herself with family, including the furry or feathered variety.
Nita enjoyed visiting over a cup of coffee and telling all her stories of which there were many. She will be greatly missed by so many.
She is preceded in death by her husband Doris B. "Doc" Church, her daughter, Evelyn Wright, her son in law, Ralph Wright, her parents, Henry and Allie Mae Hutchins, her brothers, Johnny Hutchins, Wesley Hutchins, Harold Hutchins, Abner Hutchins, Ed Hutchins, and her sisters Henrietta LeBatard and Maureen Silk.
She is survived by her sons Wallace (Beth) Tillman, Cecil Tillman, and Ralph (Cindy) Tillman, her grandchildren Kelly (Beth) Wright, Debra (James) Joiner, Neil (Teresa) Wright, Buffie (Jason) Holden, Shelley (Rodger) Farabee, Phebe Hunter, Alicia Milton, Tracy Tillman, and Adam (Noel) Tillman, 19 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Holder-Wells Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with Funeral services to follow at 11:15 am. Cemetery services will be held at the National Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi at 1:30 pm. Due to COVID restrictions, the services at the National Cemetery will be limited to notified immediate family.
Those wishing to express their sympathy may do so through Holder-Wells Funeral Home.