Nita Boyer's Obituary
Nita Boyer was born on August 1, 1920, to John William Lawson and Allie Jane (Willhite) Lawson on a farm near Rayborn, Missouri. She passed from her earthly life on Monday, July 9, 2012, at the Hartville Care Center.
Nita attended Lawson Grade School until her family moved to Mt. Grove where she graduated from Mt. Grove High School in 1937. Following her graduation she taught school in a one room school near Manes until she married Truel Boyer on September 3, 1943. Their loving relationship lasted for sixty-six years before Truel preceded her in death in 2009.
In 1957 after living in several locations Truel, Nita and their two boys, Ron and Glen, settled down on the Hartville farm where Truel was born. Nita was a life-long homemaker, but she also shared the labor of farm chores with Truel and the boys. She took genuine pride in preparing meals, and tending to the needs of her family. Ron and Glen never wore jeans to school that had not been ironed by a mother’s loving touch.
Nita, like her mother, enjoyed growing flowers. From African violets on the window sill to the iris beds lining her yard, she could get them to flourish. She also loved to make quilts. She made hand-stitched quilts for Ron, Glen and her seven grandchildren. The millions of delicate stitches found on those quilts attest to her patience, dedication and love for her family.
Not apparent to some of her friends was her fiercely competitive spirit. When playing cards or Scrabble, she didn’t just want to win, she sought to humiliate her opponent. After losing a card game at the Senior Citizens Center, she often had trouble falling asleep that night.
Nita, before her failing health, attended Hartville Free Will Baptist Church.
Nita was preceded in death by her parents, husband Truel, brother Lee Parlier, and sister Dorlis Walser. She is survived by her two sons, Ron and his wife Karen McKinnis of Fair Grove; Glen and his wife Terre of Hartville; Ron’s family: Amy Cutler, and her husband Chris; Noel, and his wife Myria, and daughters Mary and Lily; Dr. Ellen Ratcliff, and her husband Dean; Miles, and his wife Kate and children Camille and James; Glen’s family: Lance and his wife Britany, and children Madelynne, Isaac and Ella; Luke and his wife Somer, and children Andrew, Ian, and Allie; Grant and his wife Sara, and sons Ben and Noah; sisters Freeda Gradmelspacher, Lillian Swager, and Alcie Walser; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In the eyes of her family, Nita is a true heroine. The instruction, the love, and the nurturing she shared with her family have truly been a gift bestowed by God. Solomon referred to such a woman:
“A wife of noble Character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
What’s your fondest memory of Nita?
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Describe a day with Nita you’ll never forget.
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