Jeanette Cora Bita

Jeanette Cora Bita, 82 years of age, passed away March 14, 2026, after battling dementia. She was born July 1, 1943, in Virginia. Her childhood was spent in Cleveland, OH; she and her husband Costica raised their family in Lakewood, OH; later they retired to the shores of Lake Erie in Lorain, OH. After her husband's passing, to be closer to family, she returned south, to North Carolina.

Jeanette was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, and friend. She cherished the relationships she had with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was an exceptional baker, cook, and seamstress. She baked cakes for others, while raising her young family, and worked at Truffles Pastry Shop in Cleveland for many years. Traditional home cooking was her specialty; from colac to fried perch to chicken & dumplings, her husband & family loved every bite. From hems and darts to curtains and a prom dress, she could sew it all. Her yard was a favorite place to spend time. From her rose garden in Lakewood, to her lilac bushes and black walnut trees in Lorain, to her tulips in Conover, she was proud of her beautiful gardens. She felt blessed to have had special church families in both OH & NC. Fellowship at Amherst Congregational United Church of Christ (OH) & Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ (NC) brought her strength, peace, and comfort.

Survivors include her daughters Mary Bita (Melina) of Conover, NC and Michelle Konczyk (Brian) of Des Plaines, IL; her grandchildren Terriona Helton and Brandon Konczyk; and her sister Elizabeth Barrett of Honaker, VA.

She was preceded in death by her husband Costica George Bita (54 years married); her parents Archibald & Ideal Helton; as well as her siblings Hubert, Herschel, Anna "Jimmie", Ed Helton, and Betty Barrett.

The family is honoring Jeanette privately at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeanette's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, http://www.alz.org; or to Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 217 2nd Ave NE, Conover, NC 28613

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Bita family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.