Venita S. Fritz

Venita Sue Adkisson Fritz, daughter of the late Lillie Eudene and Ernest Adkisson was born on May 18, 1948 in Lunenburg, Arkansas. She entered into eternal rest February 9, 2026 at the age of seventy-seven years.

On September 28, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois, she was married to Joseph J Fritz where they met while working for TWA. They moved to St. Louis shortly after their first child was born and Joe continued to work for TWA while Venita began babysitting in the home. During that time, she touched many lives. Many of those kids learned to tie their shoes and were potty trained while singing “Trust and Obey”. In the 1990’s, she returned to school and obtained a secretarial degree. She worked in several offices making lasting impressions on all she met. Most recently, she was a substitute teacher filling in for elementary and pre-K classes. Many of the kids in those classes called her Mrs. Frizzle. It was not uncommon to run into kids at the store who called her by that name.

To her extended family, she was known as “Neet”. Once her oldest grandchild began to talk, she became Nana. As her grandchildren moved through school, she became Nana to more and more young people. Again, making lasting impressions on many lives.

Neet had several hobbies. She was an avid reader – like her mother. When her kids were younger, she sewed. Later, she quilted. Each of her grandchildren have a hand-quilted quilt she made especially for them. She often accompanied her kids on family vacations and was an avid trout fisherwoman for a while. Second only to her faith was her love of her family and family activities.

Above all hobbies, she was a longtime member of Grace Freewill Baptist Church located in Arnold, Missouri. She taught the toddler class for children’s church for well over 30 years. Again, touching many lives. Many adults that grew up in that church will fondly remember learning Bible stories from her and Winkie Bear.

Although she moved away from her home town of West Plains, Missouri, she still remained close with her siblings that still lived there and in other parts of the state. Until her illness, she almost never missed a family reunion or get-together back home.

She is survived by her two children, Kimberly Miller and husband, Adam, Imperial, Missouri, and Kelly Fritz, St. Louis, Missouri, three grandchildren, Luke and wife Cassie, Eli, and Lydia, and four great-grandchildren, Noble, Atlas, Holland, and William. She is also survived by her three siblings, Geneva and husband Gordon of West Plains, Glennis of Lancaster, and Dennis of West Plains, and brother-in-law Ron Fritz of Protivin, Iowa and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, father-in-law and mother-in-law, and three sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be held on Friday February 20, 2026 from 5-8 PM at the Grace Free Will Baptist Church, 2258 Tenbrook Rd. Arnold, MO. Funeral service will be celebrated Saturday February 21, 2026, 11:00 AM at the Grace Free Will Baptist Church. Services will conclude at church there will be no procession to the cemetery. Burial will be private.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heiligtagfuneralhome.com