Nita Jeane Lawrence Enochs, 84, of Springfield, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, February 14, surrounded by her family.  Nita was born November 21, 1938, on a farm near Moberly, MO, to Leon and Ruth (Golden) Lawrence.

She and her family moved to Moberly where she graduated from Moberly High School in 1956.   During high school she worked in downtown Moberly at the Grand Theater (proud to have the box office responsibilities, having worked her way up from concessions!).

On May 25, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart Paul D. Enochs.  Nita and Paul had two daughters, Kimberlee Anne Enochs Keithley and Tracey Lynne Enochs. The family lived for a time in Denton, Texas, where Paul was an assistant professor at the University of North Texas.  They moved to Springfield in 1966 when Paul joined the faculty of SMSU (now MSU) as a professor.  Nita was very active in SMSU's DAMES service organization where she brought to bear her strong organizational and planning skills. As a DAME, she served as president and headed up the annual Chili Lunch fundraiser for 12 years.   She made life-long friends and particularly enjoyed being involved in the Out to Lunch Bunch and Crafty Dames.  She also enjoyed traveling with friends and family both in the US and internationally.  Over the years Nita stayed in touch with her Moberly classmates and together with Paul took the lead in organizing several class reunions.  In her local Springfield neighborhood she was in charge of the community swimming pool operation and enjoyed the camaraderie of water aerobics where the neighborhood ladies took turns serving as instructor.

Throughout her life, Nita was cherished for her devotion to and loving support of her family and friends.  Her sense of humor,  always present smile and engaging personality will indeed be missed.

Nita was preceded in death by her parents and Kimberlee.   She is survived by Paul and Tracey of Springfield, her beloved "grand dog" Smokey; her sister Melva Deane Foster Lipsey of North Kansas City, MO; nieces Rosalind Deprair of Independence, MO, Rachel (Kevin) Hume of Brookfield, WI, Rebecca (Jerry) Myers of Riverside, MO, and nephew Randall (Tree) Foster of Overland Park, KS.

A celebration of life will begin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with visitation from 1-2:00 p.m.

Those wishing to do so may make a donation in Nita's memory to Southwest Missouri Humane Society, 3161 W. Norton Road, Springfield, MO 65803; Moberly Area Community College Foundation, 101 College Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270, or to the charity of their choice.