Gulf Pine Catholic

16 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 24, 2025 “The Mother Teresa of Hattiesburg” Sister Carmelita Stinn, 96, dies BY DAVID TISDALE She was a consummate champion of the under- dog, a friend to the friendless, a ray of hope for those who, before they met her, believed all was hopeless, and a tireless volunteer for multiple charitable caus- es with few equals in her devotion and energy. That’s how friends, family, and residents in the Pine Belt and south Mississippi -- Catholic and non-Catholic alike -- are remembering Sister Carmelita Theresa Stinn, more popularly known as Sister Carmelita or “Sister Carm,” who died December 19 in Hattiesburg. She was 96. Funeral services were held for Sister Carmelita Tuesday, January 14, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Hattiesburg, with Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg in charge of arrangements. Interment was at Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg. A native of Neola, Iowa, Sister Carmelita fol- lowed her calling to serve our Lord in 1949 when she joined the order of the Holy Spirit Missionaries in Techny, Illinois, taking the name Sister Edwardine after both her father and late brother. She came to Mississippi by way of her order on assignment in 1952, first to teach at Magnolia State, and then later at Pine Bluff, Ark.; Meridian, MS.; Greenville, MS., and then Northbrook, Ill. She later joined the Sisters for Christian Community in 1975 in order to more broadly pursue her passion for community service in and reclaimed her birth name, becoming Sister Carmelita Stinn and embraced life in the Magnolia State, saying “I’ve liked every place I’ve been, but there was something about Mississippi,” and settled in Hattiesburg. Sister Carmelita earned her master’s degree in social work at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1977 and served as an adjunct faculty member there. She affiliated with a variety of organizations dedicated that shared her passion for helping others, including the National Association of Christian Workers; American Association for Mental Deficiencies; National Association for Social Workers; and the Mississippi Conference of Social Welfare. She also served on the boards of the Right to Succeed (Intellectual Disabilities); Foster Care Review; the governing board of Royal Maid Association of the Blind; and the Association for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. She continued serving the community even after retirement and through health challenges, including with the Hattiesburg Hispanic community, getting food to those who needed it and making Christmas special for young children whose families experi- enced challenges affording presents for them. Her work did not go unnoticed, though she didn’t serve for attention or glory. Sister Carmelita was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Southern Mississippi, and also earned the Hattiesburg Lions Club Citizen of the Year Award; the National Association of Social WorkersMississippiChapter’sLifetimeAchievement Award; The Southern Miss Social Work Pioneer Award; and the Welcome Mat Award for her volun- teer work with Habitat for Humanity. Father Tommy Conway, pastor of Saint Fabian Catholic Church in Hattiesburg, said of Sister Carmelita shortly after her passing that “Anyone who ever met her knew she was someone extra spe- cial.” “Her love of the poor and marginalized was incomparable: for the migrant, the uninsured, the underprivileged, and anyone with a need of any kind. She truly served as she felt Jesus had called her to do, and she did it so well. We all miss her.” In his homily for “Sister Carm” at her funeral Mass, Father Conway lauded her as “the Mother Teresa of Hattiesburg,” further noting that “she was an angel to many -- too numerous to count.” Saint Thomas Aquinas Pastor Father Mark Ropel echoed Father Conway’s sentiments, calling her a “Hattiesburg icon” and likening her to “The Energizer Bunny” for the seemingly deep reservoir of energy she drew upon daily to serve others, which inspired countless volunteers to heed her example and help with her ministries. “She would take me to places I didn’t know existed when I accompanied her in bringing food and clothing to the poor, and the ministries she established for helping those communities continue today because of her example and through the vol- unteers who’ve worked with her over the years. That’s a wonderful legacy to leave.” Dr. Philip Kolin, a longtime member of Saint Thomas Aquinas, knew Sister Carmelita for 50 years and considered her like a part of his family, as she was godmother to his oldest granddaughter, sponsor for his son’s confirmation, and “prayer warrior for me for decades.” “Sister was a wonderful person who gave so much of herself, unselfishly, to all whom she encountered,” he said. “I can just see Sister Carm now, greeting and often hugging so many at the Vigil Mass. She was 100 percent pastoral, a real gift to us all and will be greatly missed.” Her nephew, Phil Nehring of Kansas City, Mo., said he bonded with his aunt at an early age, and is grateful to her for coming to the aid of his family following the death of his father when Phil was 10 years old. He also recounted how, even after surgery several years ago left her with some paralysis, she continued to help others as much as she could, never complaining of physical ailments. “Carmelita was such a humble person -- very giving, very selfless, very loving -- a remarkable lady,” he said. “She was the salt of the Earth.” Sister Carmelita Stinn is survived by her sister, Angela Jacobs of Waverly, Iowa; a brother, Dennis (Margaret) Stinn of Fort Collins, Colo.; a brother-in- law, Phillip Duggan of Spring, Texas; a sister-in-law, Lynda Stinn of Santa Maria, Calif.; many nieces and nephews, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Bertha; sisters Hedy (Mac) McQuade, Marita Duggan, and Joan (Marvin) Nehring; brothers Vernon (Frieda), Edward, and Gerald Stinn; nieces Theresa Davis, Catherine Spillers, and Theresa Foss; brother-in-law Earl Jacobs; nephew Craig Jacobs; and great nephew Zachariah Langford. Sister Carmelita Theresa Stinn Photo/Stephan Coleman Sister Carmelita Stinn, SFCC, 1928-2024 A bride gone into a cold Advent night Her lamp steadfastly lit, her soul always Welcoming Christ’s gentle call. She taught the catechism of joy and more Fed sparrows and the countless poor. It rained charity in her house year round. Boxes of food, bundles of diapers, hangers With clothes stuffed into closets, bedrooms, A carport, anywhere space could have been Replaced with the fullness of grace. She ran God’s clearing house. Amazon could never Have kept up with her. Her prayers always a refuge for those In need of sustenance of the Spirit. She leaves a legacy of Christ’s love among us In the Charism of her name, Carmelita -- Those fruitful orchards, baskets full of Blessings on the consecrated hills of Carmel. Philip C. Kolin