Nita S Whetstone

Nita Catherine Smittle Whetstone of Blanchard, Louisiana, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Nita was born January 26, 1941, near Gin City, Arkansas to Lloyd and Tom Smittle.

Nita married her loving husband, Terral, on May 24, 1959. They began their lives together right out of college and high school and became adults together. They trusted God to lead and guide them, and they built a beautiful life as husband and wife for 66 years.

When Nita first moved to Shreveport, she was a member of Linwood Baptist and worked with WMU and GAs. During her children’s school years, “Mrs. Nita” was an active member of the PTA, assisted teachers, and was an occasional substitute. Nita used her ability to sew to teach and clothe others throughout her life. She was a part of the LSU Cooperative Extension Homemakers Club and the local and parish chairman of the Family Life and Youth Development program. Nita served in many capacities through her longtime church home, First Baptist Church of Blanchard, including ten years as the director of the children’s choir and four years as Minister of Education. She was a volunteer for LSU Medical Center and P&S Hospital Obstetrics. She was also a “pink lady” at Schumpert Cancer Treatment Center, and a volunteer at Grace Home for many years.

By Terral’s side, she served in missions through Japan, Romania, Canada, and a number of states. She also participated in a mission trip to Zimbabwe with three others from her church. She served Jesus through food and her gift of connecting with people. Nita was a devout Christian who walked by faith and led by example, and she spent many years spreading the Gospel to others in all avenues of her life.

Nita was a pillar of strength, devotion, and wit. She was a “home” for many and always had a bench seat at her kitchen table for anyone who needed a meal, a laugh, or encouragement. Nita was a bright light in this world, and she will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Tom Smittle; brother Burrell Smittle; and great- grandchildren Brantley Jean Wigington and Austin Rose Wigington.

She is survived by her husband, Ray Terral Whetstone; their children Jada Bettis and husband James, Wendell Whetstone and wife Kim, and Hoyt Whetstone and wife Sonya; their grandchildren Katilyn Woodley and husband Adam, Kelsey Wigington and husband Jacob, Luke Whetstone and wife Sara, Kara Reeh and husband Nick, Jordan Whetstone, and Caleb Wilcox and wife Bekah. In addition, she is survived by many great-grandchildren: Judson Woodley; Layne, Charlie, and Laurel Wigington; Harper, Harrison, and Caroline Whetstone; Elizabeth and Samantha Reeh. Her siblings who remain to cherish her memory are Doyle Smittle and wife Dorothy, Robert Smittle and wife Rita, and sister-in-law Bette Whetstone.

A memorial visitation for Nita will be held Friday, July 25, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at First Baptist Church Blanchard, 201 Attaway Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71107.

A celebration of her life well lived will occur Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80, Louisiana 71037 with Bro. Dale Sauls and Pastor Clay Fuqua officiating.

Nita will be laid to rest on the grounds of Hill Crest Memorial Park, 601 Hwy 80, Louisiana 71037, immediately following services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NWLA BAPTIST Association Camp Bethany for a Maintenance Facility. Camp Bethany, Post Office Drawer, 250 Bethany, LA 71007.