Winona Frances Pirtle

Winona (Nona) Frances Pirtle was born October 19, 1935 to parents Alton and Vivian Armontrout and passed away on December 7, 2015 at age 80. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Frances Richard (Dick) Pirtle, son Rand Aldon Nieman and son-in-law Jack Kennedy. Nona worked for many years in the child care industry as a director and trainer of staff. She also worked for Seniors Helping Seniors in her later years. She enjoyed homemaking, crafts, gardening and children.

Nona will be lovingly remembered by her four remaining children Terri Nieman Kennedy, Rodd Nieman, Guerry Pirtle, and Cody Pirtle (Carl Arthur), daughter-in-law M’Lisa Reed Nieman, grandchildren Brandon Nettles, Brandi Nettles, Reed Hood, Jacque Kennedy, Randy Ray Hood, Jocelyn Kennedy, Reed Nieman, and Audra Nieman, great-grandchild Brooklyn Kennedy, sisters Ann Lindley and Jane Hancock (Shelly), as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews, and many friends who seem like family.

Known as a kind, generous and joyful optimist, Nona was an angel on earth. She was devoted to family and church, and because of the example she set, people wanted to be better. She was known for her good eye for decorating and for her strawberry cake! She worked tirelessly advocating for working women and their children. She was innovative in her over 40 years in childcare, always striving to make centers and staff enjoyable, educational, safe, fun and creative for the families served.

An inurnment memorial will be Feb. 5, 2016 11:00 am at the DFW National Cemetery, led by Peri Phifer. Memorial donations may be made to the Cathedral of Light, 2570 Valley View Ln, Dallas, TX 75234. The family wishes to thank the wonderful women at Harris Hospice for their tender care during the last year, as well as her doctors John M. Joseph and Joseph Surdachi for their devotion and care over the last 16 years.