Joy Erlene Barnes Pitts, 94, of Bolivar, MO, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Erlene was born January 30, 1932, in Riverton, Iowa, to Aleck Lightfoot Barnes and Letha Mitchell Rusch Barnes. She was the youngest of four children and was raised on the family farm in Pittsburg, MO. Growing up during the Great Depression instilled in her a lifelong work ethic, resilience, and appreciation for the simple blessings in life. She graduated from Hermitage High School before moving to Bolivar and starting work as a dental assistant.
It wasn’t long after moving to Bolivar that Erlene met the love of her life, Sidney Joe Pitts. After Sidney persistently pursued her, she finally agreed to a date, and the two soon married, beginning a remarkable life together. Following Sidney’s graduation from mortuary school, they owned and operated Pitts Funeral Home in Bolivar for 45 years.
As a licensed funeral director, Erlene devoted herself to serving families during some of their most difficult moments. She handled everything from meeting with grieving families and helping them make arrangements to managing paperwork, billing, and floral arrangements. She understood that caring for others was not simply a profession- it was a calling.
While raising their three children Mike, Brad, and Susan, Erlene worked tirelessly alongside Sidney, knowing that serving families often meant answering calls at any hour of the day or night. Yet, despite the demands of the business, her greatest joy was always her family. She treasured spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will be cherished for generations.
Above all, Erlene’s faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. She was saved at the age of twelve at Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church and later became a faithful member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Her quiet faith, steadfast love, and servant’s heart were evident in the way she lived each day.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sidney Joe Pitts; her parents, Aleck and Letha Barnes; and her siblings.
She is lovingly survived by her children, Mike and Teresa Pitts of Bolivar, Brad and Lisa Pitts of Bolivar, and Susan and Kelly Roweton of Bolivar; her grandchildren, Rachel and Andy Driscoll, Clara and Bryan Rollins, Ruth and Anthony Ferguson, David and Taylor Pitts, Ellen Pitts, Brandon and Haleigh Barnes, Anna and Bradley Presley, and Michael Barnes; and her great-grandchildren, Jack Driscoll, Harper Driscoll, Layne Presley, Nora Ferguson, and McCoy Barnes, along with many extended family members and dear friends.
Erlene will be remembered for her unwavering faith, gentle spirit, tireless work ethic, and unconditional love for her family. More than anything else in this world, she loved her family deeply. The most important blessing in her life was to see her companion; three children and eight grandchildren be saved. Her legacy of compassion, kindness, faith, and selfless services will continue to live on in all who knew and loved her.
Though her family grieves her passing, they find comfort in knowing that she has been welcomed into the presence of her Lord and Savior and reunited with those who have gone before her. Her life was a beautiful example of love in action, and she will be deeply missed until the day her family sees her again.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Pitts Chapel. The services will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with Bro. Michael Calhoun officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery Bolivar. Online condolences may be made at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.
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Joy Erlene Barnes Pitts, 94, of Bolivar, MO, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Erlene was born January 30, 1932, in Riverton, Iowa, to Aleck Lightfoot Barnes and Letha Mitchell Rusch Barnes. She was the youngest of four children and was raised on the family farm inContinue Reading
Joy Erlene Barnes Pitts, 94, of Bolivar, MO, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Erlene was born January 30, 1932, in Riverton, Iowa, to Aleck Lightfoot Barnes and Letha Mitchell Rusch Barnes. She was the youngest of four children and was raised on the family farm in Pittsburg, MO. Growing up during the Great Depression instilled in her a lifelong work ethic, resilience, and appreciation for the simple blessings in life. She graduated from Hermitage High School before moving to Bolivar and starting work as a dental assistant.
It wasn’t long after moving to Bolivar that Erlene met the love of her life, Sidney Joe Pitts. After Sidney persistently pursued her, she finally agreed to a date, and the two soon married, beginning a remarkable life together. Following Sidney’s graduation from mortuary school, they owned and operated Pitts Funeral Home in Bolivar for 45 years.
As a licensed funeral director, Erlene devoted herself to serving families during some of their most difficult moments. She handled everything from meeting with grieving families and helping them make arrangements to managing paperwork, billing, and floral arrangements. She understood that caring for others was not simply a profession- it was a calling.
While raising their three children Mike, Brad, and Susan, Erlene worked tirelessly alongside Sidney, knowing that serving families often meant answering calls at any hour of the day or night. Yet, despite the demands of the business, her greatest joy was always her family. She treasured spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will be cherished for generations.
Above all, Erlene’s faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. She was saved at the age of twelve at Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church and later became a faithful member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Her quiet faith, steadfast love, and servant’s heart were evident in the way she lived each day.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sidney Joe Pitts; her parents, Aleck and Letha Barnes; and her siblings.
She is lovingly survived by her children, Mike and Teresa Pitts of Bolivar, Brad and Lisa Pitts of Bolivar, and Susan and Kelly Roweton of Bolivar; her grandchildren, Rachel and Andy Driscoll, Clara and Bryan Rollins, Ruth and Anthony Ferguson, David and Taylor Pitts, Ellen Pitts, Brandon and Haleigh Barnes, Anna and Bradley Presley, and Michael Barnes; and her great-grandchildren, Jack Driscoll, Harper Driscoll, Layne Presley, Nora Ferguson, and McCoy Barnes, along with many extended family members and dear friends.
Erlene will be remembered for her unwavering faith, gentle spirit, tireless work ethic, and unconditional love for her family. More than anything else in this world, she loved her family deeply. The most important blessing in her life was to see her companion; three children and eight grandchildren be saved. Her legacy of compassion, kindness, faith, and selfless services will continue to live on in all who knew and loved her.
Though her family grieves her passing, they find comfort in knowing that she has been welcomed into the presence of her Lord and Savior and reunited with those who have gone before her. Her life was a beautiful example of love in action, and she will be deeply missed until the day her family sees her again.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Pitts Chapel. The services will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with Bro. Michael Calhoun officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery Bolivar. Online condolences may be made at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.
I knew Erlene all of my life. She was a dear friend to my Mother and a committed servant in our church. She loved everyone! She always conveyed a special affection with my daughters and their children. She personally assisted so many families during their most days following the lost of a loved one. The last time I saw her, she said to the group, "I miss Jane" (my Mother"). Today they are together in the present of our Lord in their eternal home. Please know that your family members are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jerald Andrews
left a message on June 26, 2026:
I knew Erlene all of my life. She was a dear friend to my Mother and a committed servant in our church. She loved everyone! She always conveyed a special affection with my daughters and their children. She personally assisted so many families during their most days following the lost of a loved one. The last time I saw her, she said to the group, "I miss Jane" (my Mother"). Today they are together in the present of our Lord in their eternal home. Please know that your family members are in my thoughts and prayers.
Greenlawn left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
