Willie J. Stitt

On April 20, 1942, Jessie and Tossera Burban Stitt welcomed to their family a handsome baby boy. They named him Willie J. Stitt, although his mother would often refer to him as Willie Jr. Willie gave his life to Christ at an early age. He grew up to be a mild and hard working young man. On September 20, 1984, he married the apple of his eye, Henrietta Giles and the Lord added to their union a blended family of seven children. Willie retired from the Gurdon Public School system where he worked in the maintenance department and attended Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. He was not a man of many words, but of few words and of many virtues. He was a good man and a hard worker. Willie traveled this road of life and dealt with the stormy and sunny days along the way to the best of his ability with integrity and character. Willie was a patient man and always maintained a humble spirit throughout his life. We will remember his smile, his love and laugh. After 67 seasons of life, Willie departed this life on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 those awaiting his arrival and to welcome him home are his parents, a son, Steve Green, six brothers, Sherman, Tony, Herschel, Roosevelt, Joe Terry and Horace and his sister, Dorothy Bowman. Because love is far greater than death Willie leaves to celebrate his life are his wife, Henrietta Giles Stitt, his children, Cynthia Gulley of Gurdon, AR, Charlesetta Ivory of Gurdon, AR, Dorothy Ivory of Atlanta, GA, James Miller of Gurdon, Eric (Rhonda) Jones of Gurdon, AR, and Cathy (Shafungus) Dickens of Gurdon, AR; four brothers, Robert (Bobbie) Stitt, Charles (Patricia) Stitt, Jessie (Linda) Stitt all of San Francisco, CA, and Bobby Stitt of Hot Springs; twenty-three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; one aunt, Sure Berryman of Flint, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin, and numerous friends. Mr. Stitt will lie in on Friday, January 29, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. Last tributes to the life of Willie Stitt will be shared at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in the sanctuary of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, Gurdon, where Rev. Johnny Harris is the pastor and his brother-in-law Dr. James H. Giles, Sr. will preach a message of comfort and hope. The committal service & earthly resting place will be in Sandy Cemetery in Gurdon, Arkansas Bearers of the casket will be Stanley McClelland, Mack Turner, James Giles, Johnnie Smith, Danny Hart and Travonn Crow.