Tilitha Ann (Pounds) Waicekauskas, age 86, daughter of Lewis and Nora (Winingar) Pounds was born April 9, 1937, in St. Joseph, Mo. She passed away on March 28, 2024, at home, surrounded by her loving family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe; parents, Lewis and Nora; sisters, Emily (Joe) Creely, Mildred (Fred) Kautzman, and Lillian (Gene) Malam; brother, Lewis “Bud” (Mable) Pounds; infant sister, Vivian Pounds; parents-in-law, Simonas and Alzebieta Waicekauskas; brothers-in-law, Simonas, Wetol (Aldona) and Pete (Helen) Waicekauskas.
She is survived by her son, Joe Waicekauskas, Jr of Raymondville, Mo.; daughter, Angela (John) Sigler of Crofton, Md.; grandchildren, Catherine and Joshua Sigler of Crofton, Md.; siblings, Julius Pounds and Barkus (Carolyn) Pounds; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Tilitha and her family moved to the Houston area when she was young. Tilitha graduated from Houston HIgh School as valedictorian of the class of 1955. After graduation she moved to Kansas City for a short time before returning to Houston where she spent many years as legal secretary to William Gladden. She met her lifelong sweetheart, Joe Waicekauskas, at the courthouse when he came to pay a speeding ticket and they had their first date that night. Joe and Tilitha were married in 1960. Tilitha continued to work for Bill Gladden until her children were born and then devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother and farmer’s wife. Years later, after the children were grown, she started managing senior housing at Raymondville and for a few years at Houston. Tilitha finally retired on her 84th birthday after 26 years of managing housing.
For most of Tilitha’s life she wrote beautiful poetry. Her poetry was published in numerous magazines throughout the years and two books. Her poetry witnessed her faith, love for family, love for America, happiness of living in the Ozarks and how blessed her life had been. Her poetry is a window into her life, both the sunshine and the shadows, and clearly shows her love and faithfulness for her husband, God and country.
Our tribute can never do justice to the many facets of this complex woman who so beautifully depicted both the sunshine and shadows of life with her poetry. Tilitha was soulmate to Joe, beloved mother and grandmother, adored aunt and sister, friend, caregiver and so much more. She was legal secretary, tax preparer, homemaker, room mother and best cookie baker, hay raker, joyful dandelion recipient, crocheter, collector of angels and depression glass, lover of Scooby snacks (Richard’s personal pan pizza with mushrooms), genealogist, avid reader, puzzle enthusiast, Miraclespan builder, canner, teacher, storyteller, seamstress, survivor and pain sufferer, faithful child of God, safe harbor for the lost and lonely with an almost always full cookie jar, wise advisor, keeper of secrets, cookbook editor, beautiful letter writer, persistent (her preferred term for stubborn), fire tower climber, creative interior decorator, bookkeeper, foster mom to many a baby calf, chocoholic, fellow April girl, imaginative playmate and proud member of the class of 1955. She could shake a mean steak hammer, give double whammy stares and the warmest hugs, with a smile that lit up the world; she will be deeply missed, but we are
grateful to have had her in our lives. Tilitha and Joe were role models for true love and a happy marriage. We are certain Tilitha is once again in the arms of her sweetheart who was waiting with a bouquet of lilacs and a twinkle in his eye.
In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity close to your heart, support creativity in yourself and others, embrace both the sunshine and shadows of life and occasionally read a good poem.
A private service will be held, reuniting and spreading the combined ashes of Joe and Tilitha, per their wishes. Arrangements entrusted to Evans Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com.
PAID