Nita Whiteside Eidson went to her Heavenly Home on the evening of July 3, 2012. She was one-week away from her 87th birthday. She died peacefully while residing at the Lompoc Comprehensive Care Center. Her colorful life began July 10, 1925 in Dallas, Texas. Her father, Edward Whiteside, was a respected electrical engineer with the telephone company. Her mother, Mai Baird Whiteside, was a full-time homemaker and part-time newspaper writer. Nita's younger sister, LaVerne, was her best friend with whom she cherish playing with.

Nita began playing the piano at the age of eight. Her natural talent lead her to participate in countless music recitals and school concerts. Upon graduating from Sunset High School in Dallas, she earned a music scholarship to Southern Methodist University. Her schooling came to an end, though, when her father died unexpectedly. She unselfishly took on the task of helping to support her mother and sister.

Hard work came easy to this determined lady. She held a variety of positions in diverse locations during her 60-year work life. She worked for a Texas oil company, an architect firm, the 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, the 1369th Audio Visual Squadron, and at the Marshallia Ranch Golf Course. She enjoyed being the oldest student in her class to get an AA degree. Her love of aviation led her to pursue a pilot's license. She was a technically accomplished pianist with classical training. She studied music, French, the arts, and was one smart cookie! An unabashed Dallas Cowboy fan, she advertised her loyalty with bumper stickers and willingly shared statistics about her favorite football team.

Nita was preceded in death by her parents, her sister LaVerne Gibson, and her friend, DeWitt Beckner. She is survived by her three children: Michael McKay (Ann) of Dixon, CA; Patti McKay Poppie (Roger) of Denver, CO; and Tracie Clendenin-Felknor (Dave) of Portland, OR. Nita is also survived by four grandchildren: Christiaan Clendenin of Portland, OR; Jennifer Hodges (Jeremy) of Liberty, TX; Katy Bootle (Justin) of Kingsland, GA; and Aaron McKay of Dixon, CA. She also has three great-grandchildren and a nephew, Tim Gibson of Camarillo, CA.

The visitation will be on Sunday, July 22, from 3-7 pm and the funeral service will be on Monday July 23, at 11 am in the chapel of the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. The interment will follow in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

The family extends their heart-felt gratitude to the caring staffs of the New Lodge of Lompoc and the Comprehensive Care Center. The outstanding care she received from them during the last years of her life is deeply appreciated.