Henrietta Giles-Stitt

Today, we celebrate the life of a dedicated and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and most importantly, a child of God. We shall not mourn her passing but shall rejoice for a life well lived. A life filled with love, joy, happiness and empathy for her fellow man. Knowing that she has made the transition to a home much more beautiful than anything we can envision. Henrietta gave her all to the Lord, and now is added to his great and Blessed family in the world beyond our vision, a place not made by human hands, a place we call Heaven. Her life was the epitome of courage, love, and a deep faith expressed by the many lives she touched. On March 24, 1951 Rev. Henry and Virginia Mae Osborne Giles welcomed the birth of their first child, a girl they named Henrietta. Rev. and Mrs. Giles loved their children and worked to ensure that their family was nurtured spiritually and physically. Henrietta confessed a belief in Christ at an early age at Eastern Star Baptist Church in the Smithton Community in Gurdon, Arkansas. She was a 1969 graduate of Bell High School and grew up to be a loving, tender and attractive young lady. “Ree” as she was affectionately called by her family and close friends was shy, but never met a stranger. Henrietta was a proud mother and made several sacrifices to ensure that Eric and Cathy always had what they needed. She always wore a beautiful smile and would offer words of encouragement if she felt the person was in need. She gave her all to helping others by feeding the hungry, loving her neighbors, or providing shelter to those in a time of need. She not only “talked the talk”, she “walked the walk.” Henrietta has truly left her family a legacy of LOVE. On September 20, 1984, after a brief courtship; and believing God’s Word, “….and the two shall become one flesh….” she married Willie J. Stitt, and to their union were added Cynthia, Charleszetta, James and Dorothy. “Big Mama”, as she was known to her friends, was a very hard worker. She was a faithful and dedicated employee of Firestone where she had been for 30 years. Her co-workers remember her as being timely and skillful. She was also a member of the United Steel Workers Union. Family gatherings and being with her friends were always a source of joy. Throughout her life she was a devoted and committed sister, wife, mother, loving grandmother, faithful and trusted friend. On Monday, November 26, 2012, “Ree” slept from time into eternity. She was preceded in death by her father Rev. Giles (1995), mother Virginia (2004), brother Earnest Giles (1993)and her husband Willie J. Stitt who passed into the Lord’s embrace on January 26, 2010. “Ree” leaves to cherish her memory two loving, devoted and dedicated children: Eric Jones and his wife Rhonda of Arkadelphia and Cathy Dickens and her husband Shafungus of Gurdon; four step-children who she cherished as her own, Cynthia Gulley of Gurdon, Charleszetta Ivory of Gurdon, James Miller of Gurdon, and Dorothy Ivory Atlanta, GA; seven beloved grandchildren who were the apple of her eye, Daveante’ Jones, Chance Nelson, Shakeia Quarles, Tykeidra Jones, Tyler Williams, Justin Jones, and J’Brijon Dickens; five sisters, Virginia Charles of Gurdon, Gearlene Killingsworth and Tex of Arkadelphia, Carolyn Crow of Arkadelphia, LaDonna Williams and her husband Ricky of Gurdon, and Amy Giles of Gurdon; two brothers, James H. Giles, Sr., of Arkadelphia and Phillip Giles and his wife Vinita of Arkadelphia. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, special friends Katherine Reed, Debra George, Vinita Sims, LeQuetcha Thigpen, Kathy Hill, Martha Charles, Shirley Gulley, her co-workers at Firestone who affectionately called her “Big Mama”, and many more. Mrs. Stitt will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, November 30th from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. The family will gather from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. to receive friends and share with them the Images of life DVD. Final tributes to her life will be shared on Saturday, December 1st at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church where Rev. Johnny Harris is the pastor and will officiate. Her brother Presiding Elder James. H. Giles, Sr., will serve as the celebrant. The committal service and final resting place will be at Rose Hedge Cemetery in Gurdon, Arkansas. The bearers of the casket will be James Smith, Thomas Ollison, Ramon Tolliver, Henry Wilson, Vincent Love, Ralphel Beard, Michael Smith, Orlando Franklin, and David Hawthorne.