Theo Bonnita Love Davitt

Theo Bonnita Love Davitt died Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the home of her daughter, Julie, in Bentonville, Ark., after celebrating Christmas with her family over the weekend. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Bentonville at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 7. Theo was born May 7, 1931, the daughter of Danner Sensenie Love and Edna Mae Lawson Love. She married Philip Davitt at the Church of the Assumption in Churchville on Nov. 25, 1950. Theo is survived by her children, Mark Davitt, (Amy Duncan) Indianola; Mike Davitt, (Caroline) St. Marys; Joe Davitt, (Frankie) Bella Vista, Ark.; Jay Davitt, Bella Vista, Ark.; Maria Robison, (Jeff Robison) Belle Vista, Ark.; and Julie Merrill, Bentonville, Ark. She is also survived by her brothers, Daniel M. Love in Council Bluffs and Forrest Love in Missouri Valley and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Philip, and her son-in-law Brian Merrill. In all, Theo and Phil's life together will be celebrated by 76 children, grandchildren, spouses and great-grandchildren, including two to be born in 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are to the Seneca Mathews and Brian Merrill "Give ‘em the Pickle" endowed scholarship at osugiving.com/pickle, a scholarship established in memory of her beloved son-in-law, Brian Merrill.