Patricia Crites

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Patricia Ann Jeter Crites, 84, of Qulin, Mo., died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at Oakdale Care Center.

Mrs. Crites was born Sept. 6, 1934, in Marion, Ill., to Frank Edward Jeter and Bertha Ellen Scissom Jeter.

She attended Palace of Praise. She graduated from Salem High School in Illinois. After graduation she worked for Brown Shoe Company in St. Louis, Mo. She met her future husband in St. Louis.

She married John O. Crites Dec. 19, 1953, in Salem, Ill. He preceded her in death in 2011. They were married 57 years.

In 1955, she and John moved to Butler County to begin farming on the Black River in the Big Island area. Patricia was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and daughter. She supported her family helping them to succeed in all endeavors.

As her husband farmed and worked in their community, she typed minutes and kept the books. She loved bowling and usually bowled in no less than two leagues per week. She gardened, contributing greatly to the family’s welfare.

She was a devoted Cardinals fan. She said she didn’t remember a time when she didn’t listen to Cardinals baseball on the radio and later watched them on TV.

Mrs. Crites served on the Senior Tax Board and worked elections in the Qulin precinct.

She retired from the Missouri Division of Health District 4 after 38 years of service. She attended her children’s and grandchildren’s school events and proved to be their biggest fan.

Mrs. Crites is survived by her children, Sue Crites Szostak (Joseph A., Jr.) of Poplar Bluff, John Crites II (Lydia Fiske) of Qulin, Mo., and Clarence E. Crites (Robin Brown) of Broseley, Mo.; grandchildren, Joseph Szostak III, Patricia Szostak, Heather Szostak of Tennessee; John Crites III (Trey) and Parker Crites, Joshua Frey (Sarah Gullett); Thomas Crites (Hailey Burdin); greatgrandchildren, Jacob and Lizzy Frey; and special nephew Ray David W. Dugal (Mavis Barber).

She also is survived by a sister Claudia Ruth Powell, Decatur, Ill.; three brothers, Fred Jeter, Marysville, Wash., Frank D. Jeter, Huntsville, Texas, and Tom Jeter, Salem, Ill.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Sue Jeter and two infant brothers.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, followed by the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel, with Bishop Kent Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Sparkman Cemetery in the Cane Creek community, Butler County.

The family requests memorials to Twin Rivers School District, 9348 MO 51, Broseley, MO 63932 or Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, 318 North Main, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.

Paid