Neva M. Titus

Neva Mae (Blackburn) Titus, Bolivar, died at 9:05 PM Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at Citizens Memorial Hospital. Neva was born March 12, 1911 at Mabel, Daviess County, Missouri, the daughter of Jesse Matthew and Elmeda Helen (Carey) Blackburn. The family moved to rural Bolivar in 1921 and then to the city of Bolivar a few years later. She attended the Mabel Methodist Church prior to moving to Bolivar. She was one of 5 generations belonging to the Bolivar United Methodist Church. She graduated from Bolivar High School in 1929, attended Southwest Baptist College and then taught at the Ozark Rural School in Polk County. Neva was married to John Charles Titus August 12, 1930 and they were blessed with one daughter, Neva Charlene. They owned Titus Refrigeration in Bolivar for many years before retiring. She was very active in all her church activities as long as her health permitted. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in the church choir for many years and sang solos on numerous occasions. She was president of the District UMW in 1964 and was honored several years later by the UMW for her many years of contributions to that organization and she was the oldest member of the Bolivar UMW. She was a member of the Builders Sunday School Class and a lifetime member of the Citizens Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She had crocheted over 600 baby caps for the hospital. Neva was an accomplished seamstress, a talented artist and taught china painting classes in her home for several years. She is survived by her daughter, Neva Charlene Titus Gardner, Bolivar; grandson, John Kemp Gardner, Seattle, Washington; her sister, LaurNell Jessie Blackburn Strack, Bolivar, nieces Helen Ann Strack Stanek and husband, Mike, Bolivar, Ellen Kay Carey, Bolivar, Carolyn Rose Hosack Spiegel and husband, John, Nora Jeanette Hosack Johnson and husband, Frank, and Jan Titus Eddins; nephews, Jesse Christopher Strack and wife, Donna, Nevada, James Richard Titus, Donald Pittman and wife, Lucy; sister-in-law, Avanell Payne Titus and a host of friends. Neva was preceded in death by her husband, John Charles Titus, son-in-law, Arthur Stewart Gardner, parents, Jesse Matthew and Elmeda Helen Blackburn, brothers-in-law, John Edward Strack and Harold Titus and sisters-in-law, Jewell Titus Hosack, Ruth Titus Pittman, Myrtle Titus Hanchey, Louise Titus Camey and Mary Titus Creech. Funeral services will be 2:30 PM, Monday, November 24, 2008 at the Bolivar United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Adkison and Rev. Otto Steinhouse officiating. Soloist David Hacker, accompanied by Carol Krueger will sing In the Garder, Wonderful World and Going Home. Pallbearers will be Jesse Christopher Strack, Michael Stanek, Shannon Lawrence, John Spiegel, Douglas Carey and Bill Keiley. Honorary pallbearer is Ronald Whitchurch. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Bolivar. Memorial donations may be made to the Bolivar United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 to 2:30 PM PDF Printable Version

Neva M. Titus

March 12, 1911 - November 19, 2008