Carmella Theresa Bittinger, age 87, of Columbia, Tennessee – originally of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania –passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Carmella was born to the late Martin Thomas Cunningham and Sarah Shiverton Cunningham on March 30, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carmella was a great mom and loved her grandkids. She had a big heart and helped out however she could. She was known for being a jokester. Carmella loved Bingo, cooking and crocheting, traveling, and going to the Jersey Shore and the Philadelphia Phillies games. She was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary in Pennsylvania and was of the Catholic faith.
The family will celebrate the life of Carmella on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Columbia, Tennessee.
Carmella is survived by her sons Gaetano (Ann) Irrera and Joseph (Joanne) Irrera; daughters Annmarie Irrera Cortes and Kathleen Bittinger Rhoades; grandchildren Joseph (Laura) Irrera, Gaetano (Krista) Irrera Jr., Joseph (Carol Ann) Irrera, Ravyn (Ed) Barbee, Melanie (Dan) Downey, Patrick (Kelli) O’Neil, Dina Díaz, Danielle Rhodes, and David Rhoades; sixteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
Carmella was preceded in death by her grandson Victor Cortes and husbands Joseph Anthony Irrera and Glenn Ivan Bittinger.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and/or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.williamsfh.com.
