Obituary of Vanita Centers

The Centers family mourns the passing of Vanita Centers, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother of the Centers clan. Vanita moved to her heavenly home on the evening of August 26, 2016. She was born in Morgan County, Kentucky on September 30, 1917 to Stephen Thomas and Francis Anne (Carter) Byrd. After Vanita’s mother succumbed to the 1918 flu epidemic, her father remarried to Anna (Rose) Arnett. Each partner brought a daughter into the union, blending the two families. Growing up in Wolfe County, Kentucky during the depression years gave Vanita an appreciation for hard work, perseverance and frugality. Vanita helped raise her younger siblings (twins Olive (Earl) Oditt and Ollie (Mae) Byrd; Reva (Mervin) Rudd and Treva (Silas) Vance. Each sibling, as well as her step-sister Edith Arnett preceded Vanita in death. Vanita married Carl Centers on July 19, 1936 and they eventually settled in Warren County, Ohio. Carl passed away in 1985. Vanita was a devoted mother to her two daughters and two sons. Family and Church were a very important part of her life and she always enjoyed visiting. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and quilting, gifting many afghans and quilts to family and friends. She took great pride in preparing country style dishes, especially her garden fresh green bean recipe, hash brown casserole and famous deviled eggs for family get-togethers. Vanita is survived by her daughters, Anna Cope and Karin (Tim) Nixon. Her sons, Jack (Sharon) Centers and Steven Centers. Her granddaughters, Larrissa (Jerrid) Gundler, Joy (Rick) Van Patten, Jodi (Steve) Hoelscher, and Keri Simonet. Her grandsons, Ed (Gloria) Napier and Jeff (Barbara) Centers and 8 great-grandchildren. Although unable to attend services in her later years, Vanita was a devout member and supporter of the First Church of God in South Lebanon. While in assisted living, she was visited frequently by her pastor Mike Cornett, who will be presiding at her funeral. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30th at Stine-Kilburn Funeral Home, Monroe Road, Lebanon, OH. The funeral service is being held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31st at the First Church of God, 325 Pleasant Street, South Lebanon, OH after which interment will take place at the Morrow Cemetery in Morrow, OH