Mary Louise Frank Bitting, age 84, passed away at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC on 22 April 2017.  She was born in Royalton, Pennsylvania on 17 September 1932, the daughter of Howard Reed and Martha Gingrich Frank. She was preceded in death by her loving husband CMSgt (Ret.) James D. Bitting Sr. whom she married in 1952 in Harrisburg, PA, they were married for over 56 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Bitting) Oswalt and her husband Patrick of Washington NC; her son, Lt. Col. (Ret.) James D. Bitting, Jr., and his wife Rebecca of Richmond Hill, GA; her grandson, Davis Oswalt and his wife Allison of Greenville, NC; her two granddaughters, Jamie Bitting of Atlanta, GA, and Jessica Bitting of  Guyton, GA; two sisters, Ann Maismore of Middletown, PA, and Barbara Peters and her husband Larry of Duncannon, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

She raised her family as an Air Force wife and dedicated much of her time to supporting her husband over his twenty-eight year career, later establishing her own twenty-two year career with Kmart. Mary’s talents were many, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community volunteer and friend who loved to talk and entertain.  Traveling, reading, playing cards, watching soap operas, shopping and spending time with her family and friends were some of her favorite pastimes.

She will be buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  The family will receive friends during a visitation service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, 6 May 2017 at Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro, NC.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to her wonderful friends, neighbors, and health care providers for their extraordinary care and kindness over the past several years.

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.

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