Billie Sue (Bonnot) Pittrich

Billie Sue (Bonnot) Pittrich, 80, of Eldon, MO passed away Thursday, May 20, 2021.  She was born November 17, 1940 in Ulman, MO, the daughter of the late Justin and Evelyn (Wyrick) Bonnot.  She was baptized and raised in the Ulman Baptist Church.  She is a current member of the First Christian Church of Eldon.

Billie began her education at the age of four, attending a one room school house in Miller County through the 8th grade.  She graduated from Tuscumbia High School in 1959.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics education from CMSU in 1963. She was a charter member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.  She completed her student teaching in the Eldon School District where she met Donald Gene Pittrich. They were united in marriage on July 4, 1964.

Billie taught for over 32 years in education. She began her career in the Russellville, followed by 2 ½ years with Tuscumbia, and spent the majority of her teaching career with Eugene Cole R-V schools where she retired.  Throughout her teaching career, she continued her formal education taking masters classes through MU.  After retirement, she and Kay Scott, opened and operated the original Keepsake Kottage business in Eldon.  She later returned to teaching Home EC in Cole Camp.

Throughout her lifetime, Billie was determined that her students would “learn” the correct way to cook and sew, rather than just complete the project for a passing grade. She was a great cook and seamstress.  She loved piecing quilts, doing counted cross stitch and sewing.  She particularly enjoyed baking cookies and pies with homemade crusts as well as candy during her favorite holiday-Christmas.  Over the years, she participated as a judge at the Miller County Fair and for Paul’s Supermarket “Bake Off” contests.  Billie was an avid collector and loved to shop.  That included coin collecting.  Don initiated her large Hummel collection from a business trip souvenir gift.  Her love for Christmas prompted her extensive collection of Santa’s and Hallmark ornaments. She was a member of MSTA and MRTA.  She volunteered as the secretary for the Eldon Dolphins Swim Team and for the Mid-MO Swim Conference.  She also served on the Miller County Republican Central Committee and as an election judge.

Billie is survived by her three daughters, Terri McHolland (Greg) of Republic, MO, Jodi Tompkins (Dennis) of Eldon, and Jennifer Larson (Kirk) of Savannah, MO; seven grandchildren, Katie Groves, Libby Cochran, Kyle Larson, Andrew McHolland, Taylor Tompkins, Erin Larson and Sarah Tompkins; two siblings, Betty Kuster (Doug) of Columbia and JC Bonnot (Joyce) of Eldon as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Don on June 27, 2017, as well as a grandson, Adam Larson, two siblings, Harold Bonnot and Kathy Agee, and two nephews, Michael Scott Kuster and Jonathan Bonnot.  

Visitation will be at the First Christian Church of Eldon from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.  The Funeral Service will begin at 3:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Bill Foglesong officiating, and followed immediately by the Graveside Service at the Eldon City Cemetery.

Memorials in her name are suggested to the First Christian Church of Eldon, MO.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO.       

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billie Sue (Bonnot) Pittrich, please visit our floral store.