Etta "Pearl" Stites, nee Earney, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Friday, November 4, 2022 in the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 96 years, 1 month and 26 days.

Pearl was born September 9, 1926 in Wesco, MO to Everett and Anna Mae Gunter Earney. She was united in marriage and preceded in death by Hank Snelson and Cecil Stites.

She was a hard worker and loved to can, cook, and bake. Pearl had many different jobs, many of which included working in the kitchen of local restaurants as well as managing her own restaurant in Steelville, The Theatre Restaurant. A few others were the Travel Co, The Café on Franklin St., The Douglas Company, Sybill's, and many others in the area. Everyone loved her cakes, pies, different types of bread, chicken & dumplings, plus many other homemade goodies. She also was employed at Dr. Baumann's office and did some modeling in her younger days.

In the 1970's and 1980's, she was in several bowling leagues, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Pearl also loved her dogs she had throughout the years, especially Buster and Jodi. When she was out, you could almost always count on seeing her beloved pets with her.

She had attended Wesco Baptist Church and Canaan Community Church at Cook Station.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Everett and Anna Mae Earney; her former husbands, Hank Snelson and Cecil Stites; her six brothers, Clif (Faye) Earney, Delmar (Memory) Earney, Maurice (Kathy) Earney, Raymond "Ray" (Estrellita) Earney, Lawrence Earney and infant brother, Donnie Lee Earney; two sisters, Fern Meiser and Bonnie (Lawrence)Turnbough.

She is survived by her nephews, Dale (Linda) Earney of Washington, MO; Tim (Rebecca) Earney of Cuba, MO; nieces, Brenda (Junior) Bruce of Troy, Missouri; and Terri (Ray) Keys of Dupo, IL; other nieces and nephews; cousins; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 11:00 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of "God on the Mountain", "I'm Free" and "Go Rest High" was played.

The services were Live streamed on Britton-Bennett Facebook page.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Wesco Cemetery, Wesco, Missouri.

Honored to be casket bearers were Tim Earney, Dale Earney, Brad Mutza, Damon Pipkens, Darrell Bruce and Rev. Jerry Beers.

The Stites Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.