Beverly Kitts

Beverly Joice Kitts, 94, of The Pines died October 29 at the Kirksville Regional Medical Center of complications from a fall and broken hip. She was born March 19, 1931, in Wayne, MI. She was the middle daughter of Alvin and Elizabeth Foster Baer.

She grew up in the Detroit area and graduated from Wayne High School in 1949. She went to Eastern Michigan University on full scholarship graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Education degree in Mathematics. She taught mathematics first at Wayne High School and later at Southfield High School in Southfield, MI before moving to Missouri.

She met her husband, William Howard Kitts, while they were both in high school at Wayne High. When Bill enlisted in the service, Beverly headed to college. They married on April 12, 1952. After his return, Beverly taught high school math supporting them while Bill headed to college parttime at Eastern Michigan for the next 8 years until his graduation.

In 1966, the family moved to Kirksville, MO when Bill joined the faculty of then Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (Truman State University). Beverly decided not to seek a Missouri teaching certificate but use her love of math and service in other ways. She and Bill were active in the Kirksville First United Methodist Church which led Beverly to be elected to the Church board, serve as Financial Secretary, and then church secretary. The volunteer secretary position led to the church employing her to a paid office secretary position where she served until retiring in 1996. Her service to her church led to a parting gift from the church of a trip to Jerusalem.

Beverly was also active in United Methodist Women and served in leadership positions, sang in the choir, and volunteered for everything related to the church.

Outside of church she was a member of P.E.O. whose purpose is to support women, and she continued in that role until her hospitalization. She was a member of University Dames (a group building community at Truman University) and served a term as president. After retirement, she became a volunteer with RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). She was in high demand for her skills regarding anything related to math, numbers, or organization. She earned the volunteer of the year for her plethora of hours

of service. And wherever she went – St. Andrews or The Pines, she made new friends, checked on her friends new and old, visited them in the hospital, and shared her time with them. She had a full life.

Beverly is survived by a daughter Debra Kitts Shrout (husband Tom) and a son Douglas Howard (wife Christine Colucci Kitts) of Port St. Lucie, FL. Grandchildren Thomas Shrout III (wife Nichole Merkel Shrout) of St. Louis and Rachael Elizabeth (partner Mohamed Hassan Ally) of Arusha, Tanzania, and a great granddaughter Magnolia Elizabeth Shrout of St. Louis. She is survived by a sister Peggy Baer Tunesi of Taylor Michigan.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband and parents, was a sister, Betty Baer Overton, of Wayne, MI.

Services are scheduled for 2 pm, November 4 at the Kirksville First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Washington. Visitation will precede the service in the sanctuary alcove at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the First United Methodist Church in memory of Beverly.