Doris Lee Kitts

Doris Lee Kitts, daughter of Martin A. and Bessie J. (Clark) Johnson, was born September 6, 1922, near Formoso, Kansas, and passed away at Jewell County Long-term Care, Mankato, Kansas, on August 12, 2007, at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 6 days.

She was united in marriage to Billie O. Kitts, on October 20, 1945. To this union three children were born, Robert, Melvin, and JoAnn. They lived most of their married life on a farm in northeast Jewell County.

Doris Lee attended Emporia Teachers College and taught all eight grades at the one room Bluebird School in Rural Jewell County.

She was a church pianist. Although playing the piano was her life joy, she also enjoyed crafts and sewing.

She was a lifetime member of the Montrose Methodist Church. Doris Lee belonged to the Ladies’ Hawthorne Club.

She spent her life as a homemaker, mother, and care giver. Doris Lee provided care for her parents and grandmother for many years and for her husband, Billie as his health failed.

She is survived by two sons: Robert and wife Beth Kitts of Crown Point, Indiana, and Melvin and wife Synda Kitts of Goddard, Kansas; daughter: JoAnn and husband, Arlyn Unrein of Russell, Kansas; five grandchildren: Beverly Kitts of Leawood, Kansas, Stephen Kitts, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Andrew and wife, Sarah Unrein , and only great-grandchild, Owen of Overland Park, Kansas, Angela Unrein and fiancé, Jason Bowers of Lenexa, Kansas, and Holden Kitts of Goddard, Kansas; two brothers: Cecil and wife Madeline Johnson of Wichita, Kansas, and Milford Johnson of Courtland, Kansas.

She enjoyed life; friends; and community; her greatest pride was her family.

A celebration of life service for Doris Lee Kitts, was held, Friday, August 17, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., at the Montrose United Methodist Church, rural Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Jim Rice officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. Sherilyn Kadel, pianist, and Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle, soloist. Hymns were: “He Touched Me”, “I Saw A Man”, and congregational hymn o “How Great Thou Art”. Casket bearers were: Andrew Unrein, Stephen Kitts, Holden Kitts, Gary Sutton, David Sutton, and Roger Sutton. Interment was in the Balch Cemetery, Formoso, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to Solomon Valley Hospice, Beloit, Kansas, Montrose United Methodist Church or Jewell County Hospital, both of Mankato, Kansas. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.