Nita “Mae” Barnum

Nita “Mae” Barnum,

age 82 of Ashland, MO, passed away on Sept. 10, 2022 in the comfort of her Assisted Living facility, Ashland Villa, that she warmly referred to as her home.

A Celebration of Life is being held at 3pm on Saturday, Sept. 24 in Greers Ferry, Arkansas at the home of dear family friends, Larry John and Shelly Davis. All Mae’s family and friends are invited and encouraged to bring photos and stories of Mae to share.  Just before that, a small intimate grave site prayer by Mae’s nephew, Baptist Preacher Homer Branscum is scheduled for 2pm, Saturday, September 24, 2022.

Mae was born in Brownsville Arkansas at the home of her parents, Walter Melvin Bittle and Retha Edna Bittle (maiden name Jackson) on August 1, 1940.  She graduated from West Side high school in Greers Ferry Arkansas where among other activities she played basketball and was a cheerleader. She married Tony Dale Barnum on December 31, 1959 in Brownsville, Arkansas in the home of her parents.  Mae’s career focus was that of a home maker and loving mother to her two boys, Rick and Jeff.  Mae also spent time working along side Tony for their family dry wall business, owing and managing a drive-in diner, and providing services as a roller skating waitress, house cleaner, and nanny.  Much of Mae’s adult life was dedicated to helping her son’s raise her grand-babies, Susie, Rusty, Alyssa, Brookelle, and Brynna.  Mae’s greatest reward in life was being a loving mother and a doting grandmother.    

Mae is preceded in death by her husband Tony Dale Barnum; her parents Walter and Retha Bitttle; and her siblings Gardner Bittle, Dorethea/Dottie Terranova, William/Bill Bittle, and Vita Jane McNeace

Mae is survived by her sister Frann Corshia; her sons Richard Earl (Robin) Barnum, and Jeffery Dale (Lisa) Barnum; her grandchildren Rusty Barnum, Susie (Jeremiah) Clennon, Alyssa (Jacob) Seiter, Brookelle & Brynna Barnum; and her great-grandchildren Macey & Kaylie Barnum, Mattie Grace & Parker Clennon, Ethan & Audrey Seiter.

In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Mae’s extraordinary love of children, memorial donations may be given to St. Judd’s Children’s Research hospital in remembrance of Nita Mae Barnum. (Please call or text Lisa Barnum at 480-323-9088 to coordinate donations and/or make a donation directly to St. Judds.)

The family of Nita Mae Barnum wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Ashland Villa, University of Missouri Hospital, Boone Hospital, and Landmark Hospital for the care you took of Mae during her most recent times of pulmonary health challenges.