Margaret Pitts

Margaret Pitts

Hattiesburg

Margaret Louise Fields Pitts, 82, of Hattiesburg, passed away on April 7, 2012 after a long and valiant struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Margaret was born in Fort Benning, GA in 1929. She graduated from Flora High School, and earned degrees from Clarke College, Newton, MS, and Mississippi College.

Margaret was a devout Christian and an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Hattiesburg and First Baptist Church, Terry, where she served over the years as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and Vacation Bible School teacher/director.

Margaret taught the third grade for twenty-plus years at Terry Consolidated School, Terry Academy, and Copiah Academy. After retiring from teaching, she and her husband served as State Coordinators of Mission Service Corps for the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Sidney Pitts; daughter, Kathy Pitts Ferrell; sisters, Elizabeth Perkins and Dot Chastain. She is survived by her brother, Herman Fields, Jr.; daughters Beth Hall of Hattiesburg and Dr. Amy Brom (Gary) of Redding California; sons Larry Pitts (Amanda) of Fort Collins, CO and USAF Chaplain Jerry Pitts (Beverly) of Washington, DC; grandchildren Brad Pitts (Natalie) of Memphis, TN, John Fields (Candace) of New Orleans, LA, Andy Dunn (Denise) of Bay St. Louis, Ryan Dunn (Katie) of Gulfport, Melody Nelson of Clarkton, NC, Cameron Nelson of Ghana, West Africa, Jeremy Pitts (Joy) of San Antonio, TX and Lindsay Pitts of Alexandria, Virginia; and great-grandchildren Jackson and Dixie Fields of New Orleans, LA.

In addition to her family Margaret leaves a large body of devoted friends from her churches, workplaces and communities. She was known for her sweet and supportive nature, her steadfast faith, her determination to make the best of her situation, and her love of teaching. The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of Alden Pointe Assisted Living, Forrest General Hospice, and Kishara Mixon, Mary Tatum, Kimberly Thomas who provided tender, compassionate care to Mom during her illness.

A memorial service to celebrate Margaret's life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 14, at First Baptist Church, Terry, Mississippi. Friends and loved ones are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Margaret's memory to the Building Fund at Immanuel Baptist Church, 510 Weathersby Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.