Fern Vitale

Fern Vitale, age 87, of Lubbock, TX, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in Lubbock, TX. Fern’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

She was born in Cleburne, TX in 1936 to Roy and Willie McBride. Fern was the 5th of 6 children. She and her family grew up in small towns tending to cotton farms. Fern attended New Deal High School, where she graduated along with many of her friends. One evening while cruising around the Hi-D-Ho Drive-In, in Lubbock, with her friends, Fern met a handsome Italian airman named Mike Vitale, who was based at Reese AFB. They fell in love and were excited to start their new lives together. The two were married and soon making plans to move to New Jersey and start a family.

First born was Ronnie Vitale who lives in Austin, TX; Second was Keith Vitale who married Karyl Kinslow-Vitale and they live in Round Rock TX; third was Jeff Vitale who married Brandi Hickson-Vitale and they live in Lubbock, TX; and fourth was Michelle Vitale who married Scott Cantrell and they live in Round Rock, TX.

Grandchildren are Sean Vitale of Manor, TX; Megan Vitale of Hutto, TX; Morgan Vitale- Porter (Spouse- Hayden Porter) of Pflugerville, TX; Jack Cantrell of Georgetown, TX; Caroline Cantrell of London, UK; Jaden Vitale of Lubbock, TX; Zayda Vitale of Lubbock, TX; and Norah Vitale of Lubbock, TX. Fern treasured her time with her grandkids and loved being their Nana, never failing to bake chocolate chip cookies when they visited, and always having Mentos mints ready to hand out!

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mike Vitale, and is survived by her children and grandchildren, and a sister, Deana Overly of Lubbock, TX.

Services will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Visitation will open at 12pm (noon) on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, followed by a funeral service at 2:00pm on the same day. Resthaven Funeral Home is located at 5740 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79407.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the South Plaines Food Bank.